THE FELLOW-TRAVELLERS: 



MARRIED LIFE; 

NOTICES OF THE DUTY, HONOUR, AND HAPPINESS 
OF THAT STATE, 
AND THE MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF THE PIOUS HUSBAND AND 
WIFE IN THE HEAVENLY WORLD TO COME ; 
WITH 

s?ome f^elps for Jfomt IBebotton. 

ALSO, 

TWO FORMS OF INTERCESSION FOR RELATIVES 
AT THE SEAT OF WAR. 



By G. W. TYBBELL, M.A. 

RURAL DEAN OF BELFAST, AND RECTOR OF DRUMBEG : 
AUTHOR OF " THE RITUAL OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND 
IRELAND ILLUSTRATED," AND FORMERLY 
EXAMINING CHAPLAIN TO THE LATE BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE. 



" Adam and first matron Eve 
Had ended now their orisons, and found 
Strength added from above." — Paradise Lost. 



BJVINGTONS, WATERLOO PLACE. 
1855. , 



TP* 5 " 



LONDON : 

gilbert and rivington, printers, 
st. john's square. 

...» XO y /0> 



TO HER 



WHOSE HEART, BY JOINT PRAYER AND HEAVEN-DIRECTED 
CONVERSE, 

HAS BECOME INTERWOVEN WITH MY OWN, 
AND WITH WHOM, 
THROUGH THE MERITS OF THE CRUCIFIED, 
I CHERISH, IN PROSPECT, A SWEET AND ETERNAL RENEWAL 
OF THAT ENDEARED COMPANIONSHIP, 
IN WHICH, DURING OUR EARTHLY SOJOURN, 
WE WERE SO BLESSED, 
THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED. 



" Hearts that share .... 
. . . . hopes of bliss beyond the tomb." 

Barton. 



This holy book 
Marked with the seal of high divinity, 
On every leaf bedew'd with drops of love 
Divine, and with the eternal heraldry 
And signature of God Almighty stamped, 
From first to last, this ray of sacred light, 
This lamp, from off the everlasting throne, 
Mercy took down, and in the night of Time 
Stood, casting on the dark her gracious bow. 

Course of Time. 



INTRODUCTORY. 

" Holy Scripture containeth all things neces- 
sary to salvation ; so that whatsoever is not 
read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not 
required of any man that it should be believed 
as an Article of the Faith, or be thought requi- 
site or necessary to salvation." — Article VI. 

" Holy Scripture is the storehouse of hea- 
venly wisdom ... if it will require to give good 
counsels, to comfort, to exhort, all these things 



Yl 



IFTEODUCTOET. 



we may learn plentifully of the Holy Scrip- 
ture.'" — Homily I. 

In acknowledgment of this established prin- 
ciple of our great Reformers, I place prominently 
forward the passages of the Old and New Tes- 
taments which treat of Married Life, adding an 
enlargement upon the sacred text, or a Com- 
mentary ; and subjoining notes, original, and 
from writers whose names are given. 

This mite is cast into the Lord's treasury 
with prayer that it may induce deeper atten- 
tion to the matrimonial obligations, and thereby 
promote piety and happiness in families. The 
last part consists of devotional forms for the 
joint private worship of the married pair. 

Gr. W. T. 



CONTENTS. 



PAET I. — THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



SECTION I. 



PAGE 



The Psalms 



3-11 



Description of the book. Its authors. Meaning of the 
titles prefixed to several Psalms. The 128th Psalm 3 — 6 

In proportion to the influence which religion has upon a 
man, he will be truly happy. Amongst the blessings 
promised to the pious servant of God, a chief source 
of comfort »nd delight arises from a wife and family. 
Beautiful and appropriate imagery to set forth this 6 — 8 

Eastern manner of blessing the newly-married pair. 



Bp. Patrick's translation of the last verse. Opinion of 



Jeremy Taylor's felicitous comparison between a married 



Perverted interpretation, in the Douay Version, of ex- 



Note. 7 



Hengstenberg 



8, 9 



and a single life 



10 



pressions in this Psalm 



11 



vm 



CONTENTS. 



SECTION II. 



PAGE 



The Proverbs 



12-26 



This book shows the minuteness of our Christian obliga- 
tions. Its authors. Its sense and its sentences not 
as in other portions of Holy Writ, but unconnected 
together. Notices of married life interspersed through- 



Valuable commentary upon it by Bridges . Note. 15 

The husband to be cheerful and happy in his wife's 
society. The loveliness, dignity, and influence which 
religion imparts to the character. A wife, when pru- 
dent, pious, and affectionate, becomes her husband's 
highest ornament and a blessing to her children 16 — 18 j 

The tender love of her husband, honouring her as the 
person whom God saw to be the fittest for him — a 
help meet for heaven . . . . . . 19 

Such an one comes not, as earthly possessions, in ordi- 
nary course, but by special gift from God, and to be 
sought for in prayer to Him . . . . . ib. 

The Christian maiden likewise will seek for godly dis- 
cernment and direction .... Note. ib. 

The danger of marrying an irreligious person in hope of 

his or her future conversion . . . Note. 18, 19 ! 

Bp. Beveridge's resolution. Testimony of Sir Matthew 
Hale. The inspired Hebrew sage describes in affect- 
ing terms a foolish wife 20 — 22 I 



out it 



12-16 



CONTENTS. 



ix 



PAGE 

Rash manner so general in entering upon the important 
connexion. Appeal to the Christian maiden. To the 
Christian youth 22, 23 

Intimate converse of the Christian wife and husband 
about their eternal interests and prospects . 24 — 26 



SECTION III. 



The Proverbs. Chap. 31, verse 10 to end . . 27—36 
Supposed to be written either in the time of Hezekiah 
or during the captivity. Pleasing picture of married 
life. Quaint pointed remarks of Matthew Henry and 

Dr. Durell 27, 28 

Signification of the original word translated " virtuous." 

Note. 28 

A wise and godly matron described. Her skill, prudence, 
and active management. The full confidence and 
respect evinced by her husband. Her courteous and 
seasonable consideration for the poor. Her gentle 
kindness of speech. Her sound discernment . 28 — 32 

She receives praise from her children, from her husband, 
from God 34 

Quotation from the Art Journal respecting embroidery. 
Hooker's funeral sermon for his " virtuous gentle- 
woman and Taylor's for Lady Carbery. Notes. 31 — 33 



X 



COIS'TE^TS. 



SECTION IV. 

PAGE 

Ecclesiastes 37 — 46 

This portion of sacred Eastern philosophy most valuable 
to us. Noble precept in the twelfth chapter. State- 
ment of a future existence in the seventh verse . 37 — 39 
Professor Stowe's ingenious view of the book. Note. 38 
Chap. ix. 7 — 11. Remarks on ancient wines; on the 
term " merry." Illustration of the nature of Chris- 
tian joy, from the Book of Nehemiah, the Acts, and 
the Epistles to Philippi and Thessalonica. Peace and 
joy the believer's duty and privilege. Solitary life or 
affected austerity not required of him . . 39 — 42 
Solomon's own ill-success in meeting with female excel- 
lence accounted for. His remark upon it not that of 
a peevish censor, but of an humbled penitent. In the 
society of a faithful wife a man's happiness is increased 
and his anxieties soothed . . . . 42, 43 
Beautiful the scene of a family living in peace and affec- 
tion. Counsels of Barnes ; of Li verm ore. Notes. 43 — 45 
Wise and pious admonition of the enlightened mo- 
narch .44 — 46 



CONTENTS. XI 



PAET II.— THE NEW TESTAMENT. 
SECTION I. 

PAGE 

The Epistle to the Ephestans . . . 50—61 

Character of the author. Nature and style . . .50 

Present state of religion at Ephesus and the surrounding 
country Note. ib. 

Chap. v. 22. The surpassing honour put upon marriage 
by introducing it as a pattern of the greatest Divine 
mercies. The mind directed in this the dearest natu- 
ral connexion to the most precious of our spiritual . 51 

Nature of the wife's submission. Wisdom of the Divine 
rule. Dr. Eadie. Bp. Wilson . Notes. 52, 53 

Christ's love to us the magnet to constrain the affections 
and influence the conduct. The Apostle's counsels 
enlarged ........ 55 

' ' Sanctify with the washing of water by the word. ' ' Vari- 
ous opinions upon this. The atonement. Its legal 
influence. Its moral influence . Note. 56 — 58 

Union of the spiritual Husband and His bride. Christ 
the grand pattern for imitation . . . .61 

SECTION II. 



The Epistle to the Colossians . . . 62—66 
Its object. Striking similarity between it and the Epistle 



CONTENTS. 



last considered. The wife's obedience limited : it is 
not prescribed to the husband, to exact obedience, 

but to love 62—66 

Power of Christianity in softening the husband's charac- 
ter and in elevating the wife's. Quotations from Prof. 
Brown, Bps. Daniel Wilson and Jeremy Taylor. 

Notes. 63, 64 

From Archbishop Sumner 65 



SECTION III. 

The First General Epistle of Peter . . 67 — 82 
Distinguishing traits in the Apostle's character. No 
superiority granted to him, briefly shown ; yet, in one 
respect, a peculiar honour conferred upon him. Cha- 
racteristics of his writings .... 67, 68 
This Epistle how described by Archbishop Leighton 68, 69 
Chap. iii. Directions to Christian wives. Their beha- 
viour of importance to the advancement of true reli- 
gion. Their main ornaments not what pleases man, 

but the Lord 69—74 

Observations from M'Ghee .... Note. 69, 70 

The rule respecting " adorning" to be understood in a 

limited sense ...... Note. 7® \ 

Archbishop Leighton's and Professor Brown's remarks. 

Note. 73 

The example of Sarah proposed . . . . .74 



CONTENTS. 



xiii 



APPENDIX TO SECTION III. 

PAGE 

Counsels to one of the parties when the other is still un- 
influenced by religion. Professor Brown . . 76 — 82 



SECTION IV. 

The First General Epistle of Peter, Chap. iii. — 

continued . 83 — 95 

Important claims of a wife upon her husband. She is 
less adapted to bear the storms of life. His office to 
cherish and support her ..... 83 — 87 

Being fellow-heirs of life eternal, they will " speak often 
one to another" of their animating hopes; will fre- 
quently unite in prayer . . . . .87 — 89 

Brown's construction of " giving honour to the wife," 
&c. Archbishop Leighton's beautiful observations. 

Note. 83—86 

The married couple will avoid every thing which would 
become a hindrance to the acceptance of their united 
prayers 89, 90 

Dr. James' comment upon this . . Note. 90—93 

Jeremy Taylor's striking illustration . . . 93 — 95 



SECTION V. 

The Epistle oe Paul to Titus ; 95—106 
Titus, who he was : his mission to Crete. Object of this 
letter 96 



V 



Xiv COKTESTTS. 

PAGE 

Chap. ii. 4. Directions to Christian wives and mothers. 

The several terms illustrated .... 96' — 103 

Present state of Crete 96 

Affecting appeal of Mr. Slade . . . .99,100 
A minister to be * ' the husband of one wife." Meaning 

of this. Observations of Conybeare and Howson. 

Shrewd remark of Barnes . . . .103—106 



SECTION VI. 

The First Epistle to the Corinthians . . 107—118 j 

Its origin. Former condition of Corinth. Its present 

one . 107 | 

Chap. vii. Cases upon which the Apostle's opinion had 
been solicited, with his replies . . . 108 — 110 

Statements of our Lord respecting polygamy and divorce, 
as related by St. Matthew and St. Mark. Note. 108, 109 

Declarations of St. Paul in this chapter compared with 
other portions of his writings 110 

Absurdity consequent on the Douay rendering of a pas- 
sage in this Epistle .... Note. ib. 

Prophecy which applies with crushing force to the 
Church of Rome. Rev. xiv. 4 may refer to idol wor- 
ship ; more probably however to freedom from impu- 
rity 112, 113 

A decree of the Council of Trent showing the views of 
the Papacy respecting marriage. Reason of this, ac- 
cording to the historian of the Council . Note. 112 



CONTENTS. 



XV 



Admonition in the 29th verse of this chapter a suitable 
conclusion for these notices of Married Life . .115 

Solemn allusion in the Marriage Service. The proper 
effect of keeping it in mind will be to act in the anti- 
cipation of blissful and eternal reunion. Those only 
by whom such hope can justly be cherished. Note. 

117, 118 



PAET III. 

Address to the married pair. Divine honour conferred 
upon marriage. The feelings with which it should be 
entered into 121, 122 

The purposes of God in the ordinance . . . .122 

Statement in the prophecy of Malachi . . Note. ib. 

The practice of joint private devotion by husband and 
wife. Archbishop Leighton's remarks upon it ; ap- 
proved by the Reformers ; by subsequent writers . 123 

Yet no forms extant for the purpose. Incident which 



gave rise to those now supplied . . . 124, 125 
Affectionate invitation to the married . . . .127 
Bishop Hall, Jeremy Taylor quoted . . Note. 128 
Extract from " The Matrimonial Crown,' ' an old and 
scarce work. Counsels concerning joint private wor- 
ship 130—134 



xvi 



CONTENTS. 



SECTION I. 

PAGE 

Several forms to assist the married pair in their joint 
private devotions . . . . . . .135 

SECTION II. 

Forms of intercession on behalf of their children . 172 

APPENDIX. 

Two forms of intercession on behalf of relatives at the 
seat of war 184 



m^tuxt Mnllm nf fflmxltb life. 



PAET I. 

Cf)e ©Iti Testament. 

Pilgrims of life, henceforward to travel together, 
neglect not the favour of Heaven; 
Let the day of hopes fulfilled he blest by many prayers, 
And at eventide kneel ye together, that your joy may not be unhallowed : 
Angels that are around you will be glad, those loving ministers of mercy, 
And the richest blessings of your God shall be poured on His favoured 
children. 

Marriage is a figure and earnest of holier things unseen. 

Proverbial Philosophy. 

O treasure of connubial blessing, 

To man in bliss primeval dealt, 
"When, life with innocence possessing, 

No ill he felt ! 
O treasure of connubial greeting, 

Parental or fraternal love, 
If severed once, assured of meeting 

In joy above ! 

Sundial of Armoy. 



B 



SECTION I. 



THE PSALMS. 

Ik these lyrics of Israel's sweet singers are dis- 
closed the most hidden and hallowed feelings of 
the saints of old : they are rich in the production 
of impassioned genius, set forth with all the graces 
of eastern minstrelsy. Religion is exhibited in its 
i most engaging form, and all creation's charms em- 
ployed to describe the glories of redeeming love. 

Some were written by Asaph, Ethan, and Heman, 
eminent leaders of the temple choir, " who were 
moved by the Divine afflatus not only to excel in 
music but also to indite sacred poetry ;" but the 
greater part by David, the father of Hebrew me- 
lody, " who collected the scattered wild field flowers, 
and planted them as a royal parterre on Mount 
Zion 1 ;" they were used by him, and probably by 

1 Herder. 
B 2 



4 THE OLD TESTAMENT. 

the few other monarchs who were men of piety, in 
the national worship : it was so without doubt in 
Hezekiah's reign. Some were composed during 
the Captivity, it is supposed by Jeremiah, and all 
were gathered into one book by Ezra 2 . 

We can indulge in a passing allusion only to the 
beautiful observations of the Eeformers, proving 
how highly they were valued by these holy men ; 
we must also omit the eulogy of Basil, of our own 
Hooker, and the exquisitely tender preface of 
Bishop Home. 

The titles which are untranslated in our Version 
relate either to the instrument upon which they 
were performed, as "Neginoth, Nehiloth, Shushan," 
respectively signify a lute, a flute, a cymbal ; or to 
the more ancient melody to the tune of which they 
were set: thus "Aijeleth Shahar" (Ps. xxii.) 
means "the hind of the early dawn;" " Jonath- 
elem-rechokim " (Ps. lvi.) "the mute dove among 
strangers." Some are entitled songs of degrees or 
ascents, from being chanted by the people as they 
statedly repaired to their elevated city and temple 

2 See 1 Chron. xv. 16 — 23. 2 Sam. xxiii. 2 Chron. xxix. 
30, and the Apocryphal Book of Ecclus. xlvii. 8. 10. 



THE PSALMS. 



5 



for the annual festivals, or as they returned from 
Babylon. 

Psalm cxxviii. is one of these. As a poem it is 
said to bear considerable marks of skill and judg- 
ment. We learn from it how the Lord's favour 
makes a family happy, and that to obtain it we 
must live in His fear. "How various and fluc- 
tuating the objects upon which the perverse de- 
sires of this world are bent, the Lord preferreth 
before all riches the blessing of a valuable wife." 
Calvin. 

Blessed is eveey one that eeaeeth the 
Lord ; 

That walketh in His ways. 

Here the change of person, where the narrative 
of blessings attending the pious suddenly alters 
into an apostrophe, is allowed to be beautifully 
imagined : 

FOR THOU SHALT EAT THE LABOUR OF THY 
HANDS : 

Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well 
with thee. 

Thy wife shall be as a eruiteul vine by 
the sides oe thy house : 



6 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



Thy children like olive plants round about 
thy table 3 . 

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed 

That eeareth the Lord. 

The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion : 

And thou shalt see the good oe Jerusalem 
all the days oe thy liee. 

Tea, thou shalt see thy children's chil- 
dren, 

And peace upon Israel. 

"Godliness," says the Apostle, "is profitable 
unto all things, having promise of the life which 
now is, and of that which is to come." (1 Tim. iv. 8.) 
Yes, truly ; religion, whilst it teaches the duties of 
every relation, best insures the comfort of each : it 
promotes our interest in every respect ; there is 
nothing really needed in this life which it does not 
promise, and it alone furnishes the certain promise 
of eternal bliss. In proportion as it occupies the 

3 See Part ii. sect. v. That the righteous would have 
a numerous posterity, and that the Divine favour would be 
shown in blessings upon their children, appears from many other 
passages also, as Ps. cxxvii. Job v. 25. Prov. xvii. 6. Isa. 
liii. 10. 



THE PSALMS. 7 

heart, making us delight in obeying God's will, we 
shall be happy. We will "muse upon all Thy 
works," 0 Lord, and acknowledge in all the en- 
joyments of life Thy bounteous loving-kindness ! 

In this psalm particular blessings are held out, 
to come to pass so far as they prove consistent 
with the Divine honour and the benefit of the in- 
dividual : a faithful wife and a family advancing in 
holiness and prosperity are esteemed by the Holy 
Spirit as tokens of heavenly favour ; and some of 
the most beautiful images in nature are employed 
to show the delight and comfort which they prove 
to the pious man ; his wife, as a tender vine plant 4 , 

4 The vine was regarded by the Jews as God's best gift. In 
every country it is highly prized : in the East they have dif- 
ferent kinds of it trained on the houses bearing abundance of 
fruit. Frequent and familiar figures are employed by the He- 
brew writers from plants thus sustained. Even in our cold 
clime it is a prolific plant. At Hampton Court there is a vine, 
the produce of which is kept expressly for the royal table, and 
a relative, who at my instance has made careful inquiry, writes 
from thence, that in the present year (1855) " it has 1600 
bunches of grapes, and generally yields 1300 lbs. weight of fruit I" 
Roberts, in his " Oriental Illustrations/ 1 affirms that a priest 
in blessing a newly -married couple often says, " May you be 
like the trees Cama-Vally and Cat-Pagga-Thoru !" These are 



8 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



requiring to be supported and cherished, becoming 
by its beauty, its fragrance, and its clusters, the 
ornament of his house ; plenteous in offspring, but 
still more so in wisdom and piety ; the children as 
olive branches 5 , wild by nature, but trained up 
with parental care, grafted into the good olive, and 
partakers of its fruitfulness and valuable qualities. 

The pious man may cherish the comforting hope 
of transmitting holy principles and habits to his 
descendants of the third generation. Bishop Patrick 
translates the verse, "Mayest thou live to see 
prosperous times and a thriving offspring, and en- 
joy a good old age," and says that it was a wish or 
a prayer used at the celebration of marriages, a 
form of desiring happiness to the new-married 
couple ; but Professor Hengstenberg considers it a 
post-exile psalm referring to the particular state of 

said to grow in the celestial arbour, and are joined together ; 
the Cama-Vally, being parasitical, cannot grow without the 
other. 

5 The olive is a beautifully green and spreading tree, yielding 
rich and valuable fruit, and the young sprouts grow up in 
graceful circuit from the roots of the older trees, which renders | 
the allusion to it here peculiarly appropriate. 



THE PSALMS. 



9 



the Jewish Church. The substance of his remarks 
is as follows : — 

The GoD-fearing Israel is personified, as in 
Lamentations (chap. iii.). In the time of distress 
the fear of God appeared to be deprived of its re- 
ward, and an antidote against this notion is here 
supplied, upon which the 8th of Zechariah, setting 
forth the restoration of Jerusalem, may be re- 
garded as a commentary. Happy is the fearer of 
God for consolation amid circumstances which 
seem loudly to declare the contrary : " Fear ye not, 
let there be no failings in you : God never fails : 
perform faithfully thy part, and thus shall the rich 
blessing of God be renewed every morning." A 
numerous and flourishing posterity is promised to 
the apparently decaying nation, and what is pro- 
mised in the ideal person of GoD-fearing Israel 
must take effect in a multitude of particular indi- 
viduals. 

But whichever of these opinions be adopted, we 
may repeat the inquiry of Scott, " Would language 
such as that of this psalm have been suggested to 
the inspired writers, had matrimony been a less 
holy or less happy state than celibacy ? 



10 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



He who held Rome at bay, 
And bulwarked Europe by his brave appeals, 
Looks he less lofty to the hearts which lore 
The sterling and the true, when playful seen 
In the mild sunshine of the married state ? 

Luther. 

On this Jeremy Taylor speaks with peculiar 
felicity of expression : " Here is the proper scene 
of piety and patience, of the duty of parents, and 
the charity of relations; here kindness is spread 
abroad, and love is united and made firm as a 
centre. Marriage is the nursery of heaven. The 
virgin sends up prayers to God, but she carries but 
one soul to Him ; but the state of marriage fills up 
the number of the elect, and hath in it the labour 
of love and the delicacies of friendship, the blessing 
of society and the union of hands and hearts : it 
hath in it less of beauty, but more of safety, than 
the single life ; it hath more care, but less danger ; 
it is more merry and more sad, is fuller of sorrows 
and fuller of joys ; it lies under more burdens, but 
is supported by all the strength of love and cha- 
rity, and those burdens are delightful." 

How influential the sympathy of an affectionate 



THE PSALMS. 



11 



wife, when her heart is renewed by heavenly grace, 
to support and cheer under more than ordinary 
trials, we have practical testimony in the life of 
Weitbrecht, the eminent missionary in Bengal, 
who, writing home an account of the various diffi- 
culties which he had to encounter, expresses himself 
thus : — " The roughnesses of my course are much 
smoothed by one who makes the bitter sweet and 
lightens my difficulties by her active participation 
of them, and we daily pray that we may love each 
other in Jesus." 

The Douay version of the Romanists escapes all 
difficulties against their compulsory systems that 
might arise from this psalm, by interpreting its 
passages in this way : " Thy wife shall be a fruit- 
ful vine ; thy soul shall bring forth many merito- 
rious works; thou shalt see thy children's children; 
thou shalt have reward in heaven for good works 
done upon earth!" Is not this a daring perver- 
sion of the "Weitteis - Woed, an instance from 
many of the undeviating practice of their Church 
to neutralize that "Word by tradition, whenever it 
runs counter to their errors ? 



SECTION II. 

THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON. 

These are the " winged words " of inspired saga- 
city, basing itself on extended observation, and on 
a wide and varied experience. "Whilst other parts 
of Scripture show us the glory of our high calling, 
this book instructs us how to walk worthy of it. 
Elsewhere we learn our completeness in Christ, and 
justly do we glory in our high exaltation as "joint- 
heirs with Him," in virtue of our close union with 
Him admitted to exalted honours even now, and 
by anticipation " made to sit together in heavenly 
places:" In this book we see the minuteness of 
our Christian obligations ; that there is not a look, a 
word, a movement, the most important action of the 
day, the smallest relative duty, in which we do not 
either deface or adorn the image of our Loed and 
the profession of His name. 



THE PEOVEEBS OE SOLOMOK. 13 

Of the last seven chapters the first five were 
written by Solomon and edited some centuries 
after by the royal scribes in the reign of Hezekiah ; 
the two last were written by separate hands, and 
altogether worthy of the place which they hold in 
the sacred canon. 

" We are not generally to expect any connexion 
either of sense or of sentences in this book," ob- 
serves Bishop Hopkins. " Other parts of the in- 
spired volume are like a rich mine, where the pre- 
cious ore runs along in a continual vein ; but this 
is like a string of pearls, which, though they are 
loose and unstrung, are not therefore less excellent 
and valuable." The remark holds good, as in other 
points, so also in the notices of married life, which 
are not given uninterruptedly, but occur at inter- 
vals throughout. Brought together here, they teach 
that 

A man should be happy in the companionship of 
an affectionate wife. If a person of prudence and 
piety, she will contribute to his honour, will herself 
retain universal respect, and will promote the per- 
manent happiness of the family. She should there- 
fore be esteemed as the Lord's express gift to those 



14 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



whom He favours, to be obtained by earnest prayer. 
Those who are thus blessed will in grateful return 
set forth the glory of the gracious Giver. There is, 
then, set before us the affecting contrast. 

Rejoice with the wife oe thy youth. 

Let her be as the loying hind and plea- 
sant ROE 1 ; 

Let her endearments satisey thee at all 

TIMES ; 

And be thou rati shed (enraptured) always 

WITH HER LOYE ; — PrOV. V. 18, 19, 

A GrRACIOUS WOMAN RETAINETH HONOUR 2 . — xi. 
16. 

1 The pathetic story of the ewe lamb (2 Sam. xii. 3) will 
here occur to the mind. The hind and roe were objects of 
special joy and endearment (Canticles ii. 17, and hi. 5), a pic- 
ture of the lively delight which the wife naturally engages, 
relaxing in her society from severer duties, and taking the live- 
liest pleasure in her company. As Bishop Davenant beautifully 
observes, " Abroad the man may consider himself tossing upon 
the waves, but at home with his wife, in repose, as in a desired 
haven/' 

2 Thus Deborah retained honour as a mother in Israel, 4he 
counsellor and stay of a declining people ; Esther retained in- 
fluence over a heathen husband for the nation's benefit. And 
still the gracious woman retaineth honour long after she is 



THE PEOYEEBS OE SOLOMON. 15 



A YIETUOUS WOMAN IS A CROWN TO HEE HUS- 
BAND : 

But she that maketh ashamed is as rotten- 
ness IN HIS BONES. — xii. 4. 

EyEET WISE WOMAN BUILDETH HEE HOUSE : 

But the eoolish plucketh it down with hee 

HANDS. X1Y. 1. 

Whoso eindeth a wiee eindeth a good thing, 
And obtaineth eayoue oe the Loed. — xviii. 
22. 

The contentions oe a wipe aee a continual 
deopping. 

mingled with the dust : Sarah, the obedient wife ; Hannah, the 
consecrating mother ; Lois, Eunice, and the elect lady in the 
family sphere ; Phoebe and her companions in the annals of the 
Church ; the poor widow who so richly contributed to the tem- 
ple ; the self-denying lover of her Lord ; Mary in contempla- 
tive retirement ; Dorcas in active usefulness : are not these 
names held in honourable remembrance ? 

For the rich contribution of these notes, as also for the most 
of what is not original in this section, I am indebted to the 
Commentary of Bridges. In venturing to hope that my volume 
may obtain approval of a " scribe instructed unto the kingdom 
of heaven," I would crave indulgence for some alterations, 
whereby his valuable remarks fall in more readily with my im- 
mediate purpose. 



16 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



House and riches are the inheritance oe 

EATHERS : 

And a prudent wiee is erom the Lord. — xix. 
13, 14. 

It is better to dwell in a corner oe the 
housetop, 

Than with a brawling woman in a wide 
house. — xxi. 9. 

For three things the earth is disquieted, 

Tor an odious woman when she is married. 
—xxx. 21. 23. 

Husband ! " rejoice with thy wiee count 
thyself happy with her ; be cheerful in her society ; 
cherish her with gentleness and purity; guard 
against every thing which would interrupt that 
strictest harmony which should subsist between 
you. The tender well-regulated affection of this 
intimate relation is your defence against unbe- 
coming desires ; yea, it is consecrated to the high 
purpose of shadowing out a great mystery, the 
love of Christ to the Church. 

"She retaineth noNOUR:" what loveliness, 
dignity, and influence does religion impart to the 



THE PE0VEEBS OE SOLOMON. 17 

character ! She is known, not by outward beauty, 
but by appropriate inward ornaments which remain 
in full lustre when outward accomplishments have 
faded away. She wins her children, and it may 
be thyself her husband, into the paths of piety and 
holiness. 

She is "a ceowk " to thee; faithful, reve- 
rently obedient, immovable in affection, delighting 
to see you respected and beloved, covering as much 
as may be your failings, prudent in household ma- 
nagement, conscientious in discharge of domestic 
duties, kind to all around, and, as the root of all, 
fearing the Loed ; — such is the virtuous woman, 
"the weaker vessel" indeed, yet a woman of 
strength, governing her passions, and with all her 
graces in godly energy. She is not the ring on 
thy finger, nor the chain of gold around thy neck, 
— that were far too low ; she is thy ceown ! thy 
highest ornament, attracting the eyes of all upon 
thee as one eminently honoured and blessed ! 

And further, she is a blessing not to thyself only 
as an individual, but " she btjildeth hee house," 
establishes it in a firm and durable state, uniting 
economy with liberality, strict integrity with the 

c 



18 THE OLD TESTAMENT. 

fear of God, instructs your children by example no 
less than by teaching ; she educates them for eter- 
nity, not to shine in vain pageants of this world, 
but to " the glory of their Father which is in 
heaven." 

Such " a wiee is a oood thtng she alone has 
a right to that honourable title. If in a state of 
innocence it was " not good for man to be alone," 
much more in a world of care and trial are " two 
better than one " for mutual support and sympa- 
thy : the phrase "good thing" implies both godliness 
and also suitableness. Godliness is found when 
you "marry only in the Loed," with one who is a 
believer in and imitator of Him; the "unequal 
yoke with an unbeliever" is an awful anomaly 3 . 

3 It may be objected to these expressions that they refer not 
to the marriage of a Christian with a nominal professor of 
Christianity, but with a heathen: wherein, however, is the 
difference ? Are not both destitute of spiritual blessings, and 
is not the nominal professor, according to the denunciation of 
our Lord, in the more dangerous position of the two, seeing 
that he has heard the Gospel and slighted it ? Christian youth 
or maiden, venture not on the dangerous experiment of be- 
coming united to an irreligious person in the delusive hope of 
his or her conversion, for, in such cases, the conversion is often 



THE PR0YERBS OF SOLOMON. 19 

Again, the good thing is when you honour your 
wife, not as the wisest and holiest woman, but 
as the person whom God saw to be the best and 
fittest for you, a comfort for life, a help for heaven. 
Thus she becomes the one object of your undivided 
heart ; mutual faith is plighted in the Lord. Such 
a communion will spiritualize your affections, and 
elevate them from earth to heaven. 

But how is this good thing to be found ? Look 
for it, and you shall find it, as Isaac did, in answer 
to prayer. "Every good gift is from the Lord" 
(James i. 17), some in ordinary course, others more 
directly : thus, " houses and riches ' ' are His gifts, 

the other way : " the natural tendency of the heart," says 
Archbishop Sumner, "is to descend towards the earth, not to 
rise to God and heaven ; and when a weight is attached to it, 
assisting this natural tendency^ the fall is sure." Suffer not 
your affections to be interested in any one whose heart, so far 
as from God's word you can judge, is not given to Him ; 
arrange not to lead a life of unsanctified enjoyment on earth 
with one of whom there is no well-grounded hope of sharing 
with you an eternity of hallowed happiness in heaven. Dis- 
trust your own judgment and affections ; apply to the Lord, 
and He will grant you a discerning mind, and strengthen you 
by His Spirit to escape the treacherous and enticing snare. 

c 2 



20 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



they come by descent ; the heir is known, and in 
due course takes possession of his estate, and often 
does it descend to a worthless character ; but the 
" prudent wiee" is wholly unconnected with the 
man ; there has been no previous bond of relation ; 
she is eeom the Loed, a special gift of His choos- 
ing for those He favours, and therefore it will be 
obtained at His hand if sought for in earnestness 
and faith. The term " prudent," I should remark, 
implies not merely an efficient ruling of the house- 
hold, but also that heavenly wisdom by which she 
becomes the joy and confidence of her husband 4 . 
Again, is not the husband, no less than the wife, 
" from the Lord ?" Oh, let each one who thinks of 

4 "I shall endeavour,' ' is the pious resolve of Bishop Beve- 
ridge, " to make choice of such a woman for my spouse who 
hath first made choice of Christ as a Spouse for herself ; that 
none may be made one flesh with me who is not made one 
spirit with Christ my Saviour ; for I look upon the image of 
Christ as the best mark of beauty I can behold in her, and the 
grace of God as the best portion I can receive with her. These 
are excellencies which, though not visible to carnal eyes, are 
nevertheless agreeable to a spiritual heart : for my own part, 
they seem such necessary qualifications, that my heart trembles 
at the thought of ever having a wife without them. ,, 



THE PE0VEEBS OE SOLOMON. 21 

entering into marriage, prospectively seek His bless- 
ing 5 , realizing the responsibility of the condition, 
counting it as a talent for God's service and 
glory ! 

Truly affecting is the contrast ; fain would I pass 
over the miserable scene, dare I venture to with- 
hold any portion of the whole counsel of God ! 
Sharply does the inspired sage employ his powerful 
eloquence in denouncing with severe reproof the 
contentious wiee, extravagant, imperious, through 
levity forgetting her due position and subjection ; 
not resting satisfied with the regard of her hus- 
band, but seeking admiration from others ; this is, 

5 Sir Matthew Hale, Chief Justice of England, 1671, at the 
close of a long and arduous life, affirmed, " From my own ex- 
perience I can testify that even in the external actions of my 
whole course, I was never denied the best guidance when in 
humble sincerity I implored the secret aid of divine wisdom." 
" His testimony," adds Dr. James, from whose treatise on 
Christian Watchfulness I have abridged the anecdote, " in itself 
valuable, becomes inestimable to confirm our faith and enliven 
our hope, when we look to the character of the witness, a man 
of extensive erudition, true philosophy, acute legal powers, and 
in times of unparalleled difficulty of character altogether unim- 
peached. 



22 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



indeed, a living disease ; it is here depicted by un- 
erring Wisdom as " rottenness in her husband's 
bones," marring his usefulness, undermining his 
peace, driving him, it may happen, into temptation 
and the snare of the devil. Mark "the eoolish 
woman ;" her idleness, wastefulness, love of plea- 
sure, want of forethought and carefulness ; her 
children unrestrained, their souls neglected, their 
happiness ruined ! See " her house plucked 
down " in confusion ; sad issue, if " an enemy had 
done this !" but it is the doing, or rather the un- 
doing, of "her own hands." In proportion to 
her power and influence is her capability of family 
mischief ; her ungoverned temper and tongue are 
sources of continual disquiet ; she who should be 
the choicest blessing becomes the piercing scourge. 
The intention of the divine ordinance is contravened 
through her means ; for it would seem " good for 
man to be alone," rather than his help meet should 
turn to his hindrance and his curse ! 

And how many bring this misery upon them- 
selves ! They plunge on adventure into this impor- 
tant connexion, without thought on the duties to be 
done, th& temptations to be avoided, the crosses to 



THE PROVERBS OE SOLOMON. 23 

be borne ; they seek not for direction in the mo- 
mentous choice ; and yet if ever there was a matter 
for serious meditation it is this, as being linked 
with the highest interests of unborn generations. 
Here to err once may be the undoing of ourselves 
and of our house. Reflect of how little account 
are fortune, rank, outward accomplishments, com- 
pared with godly wisdom. 

Christian maiden ! ponder well, when contemplat- 
ing this holy union, will you be a crown to totjr 

HUSBAND, OR ONE THAT MAKETH ASHAMED ? "Will 

you be what God made the woman, an help meet ; 
or what Satan made her, a tempter to your hus- 
band? Forget not the beauty of graceful and 
ready concession, and that your glory is departed 
from you, should you lose " the ornament of a meek 
and quiet spirit," lovely in the sight of man, and, 
what is incomparably superior, "in the sight of 
God Himsele of great price." 

Christian youth! in your claim for submission, 
bear in mind that it is a wiee, not a servant, which 
you have found. Oh, let your mutual comfort be 
sought, where alone it can be solidly obtained, in 
dwelling together as "heirs of the grace of life! " 



24: 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



Better never to have seen each other, than to live 
together forgetful that your union is an indulgent 
gift of the Lord, to be made an instrument for His 
praise and your own eternal bliss. 

My own beloved ! I dare call thee mine, 

For Heaven hath given thee to me : chosen out 

As we two are for blessing, 

'Twere cold and barren gratitude 

To stifle in our hearts the holy gladness. 

Milman. 

Mr. J. A. James has some good observations : — 
" Where both parties are unconverted, or only one 
of them is yet a partaker of true piety, there should 
be the most anxious, judicious, and affectionate 
efforts for their salvation. How heathenish a state 
is it to enjoy together the comforts of marriage, 
and then travel in company to eternal perdition; 
to be mutual comforters on earth, and then mutual 
tormentors in hell ! and where both parties are real 
Christians, there should be the exercise of a con- 
stant reciprocal solicitude, watchfulness, and care, 
in reference to their spiritual and eternal welfare. 
One of the ends which every believer should pro- 
pose to himself in entering the marriage state, is to 



THE PEOVEKBS OE SOLOMON. 25 

secure one faithful friend at least, who will be a 
helpmate for him in reference to another world, 
and to assist him in the great business of his soul's 
salvation, and that will pray with him and for him ; 
one that with gentle humility will tell him of his 
defects ; one that will stimulate and draw him by 
the power of a holy example and the sweet force of 
persuasive words ; one that will warn in temptation, 
be a solace in dejection, and in every way assist in 
his pilgrimage to the skies. The highest end of the 
connubial state is lost, if it be not rendered helpful 
to our piety ; and yet this end is too generally 
neglected even by professors of religion. Do we 
converse with one another on the high themes of 
redemption and eternal salvation? Do we study 
each other's dispositions, snares, troubles, decays 
in piety, that we may apply suitable remedies ? Do 
we mutually open the state of our minds on the 
subject of personal religion, and declare our per- 
plexities, our joys, our fears, our sorrows ? Alas ! 
who must not blush at their deficiencies in these 
particulars ? And yet such neglect is criminal. 
Fleeing from the wrath to come, and yet not doing 
all we can to aid each other's escape ! Contending 



26 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



side by side for the crown of glory, honour, immor- 
tality, and eternal life, and yet not doing all we can 
to insure each other's success ! Is this love ? Is 
this the tenderness of connubial affection ?" 



SECTION III. 

THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON. 
Chap. xxxi. 10. 

We have here the pattern or ideal portrait sug- 
gested by the mother of Lemuel for his guidance 
in choice of a wife. It has been supposed that she 
was Abijah, daughter of the high priest Zechariah, 
and mother of King Hezekiah, and the conjecture 
is a probable one; on the other hand, the many 
Chaldee idioms in the original text would lead our 
thoughts to a later period. 

This forms a sort of poem, composed with much 
skill, consisting of twenty-two verses, each begin- 
ning with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. 
By one writer 1 it is quaintly styled " the looking- 
glass for ladies to dress themselves by ; and if so, 
their adorning will be found to praise and honour 
at the appearing of Jesus Christ;" and another 

1 Matthew Henry. 



28 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



observes 2 , "the picture is the most finished of all 
antiquity, drawn at full length, and equally pleasing 
in every point of view." 

Who can find a virtuous 3 woman? 

Fob, her price 'is above rubies. 

The heart of her husband doth saeelt 
trust in her, 

so that he shall have no need oe spoil. 

She will do him good and not evtl 

All the days oe her liee. 

She seeketh wool and elax, 

And worketh willingly with her hands. 

She is like the merchants' ships, 

She brinoeth her eood erom aear. 

2 Dr. Durell in the Bible of the Society for Promoting Chris- 
tian Knowledge. 

3 Dr. Chalmers says, that the term virtuous is here used in 
the sense of the old Scottish, by which virtue and thrift are 
synonymous. With all due deference to such authority, I durst 
affirm that it includes still higher qualities ; the original word 
implies both endowments of mind and good disposition. It 
occurs in two other places, where in each the import is gathered 
from the context : thus, in Exodus xviii. it denotes those who 
serve God and possess courage to lead a righteous life in a 
period when such a course is despised and ridiculed ; and in 
Ruth iii. it stands for pity and unblemished reputation. 



THE PEOYEEBS OF SOLOMON. 



29 



She eiseth also while it is tet night, 
and giyeth meat to hee household, 
And a poetion to hee maidens. 
She consideeeth a eield, and buyeth it: 
With the eeuit oe hee hands she plant- 
eth a yineyaed. 

She giedeth hee loins with steength, 
And steengtheneth hee aems. 
She peeceiyeththatheemeechandiseis good : 
Hee candle goeth not out by night. 
How full and pleasing a description is here given 
of married life, of a wise, useful, and godly wife, in 
her domestic employments and duties ! The firm- 
ness of resolution, the respectful submission to her 
husband, and, on the other hand, the entire con- 
fidence reposed by him in her fidelity, skill, and 
prudent management, satisfied that she will neither 
betray the trust, nor have any interest separate 
from his ; and consequently he commits all his 
affairs to her charge : these are so vigilantly guarded, 
that there arises no temptation by indirect mea- 
sures to increase his store. In all things she acts 
for his benefit, carefully avoiding aught which might 
tend to injury. 



30 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



And now is presented to us, in varied grandeur 
of expression, the particulars of her industry, for 
the most part peculiar to the simple age ere societies 
were formed of arts and trades, or foreign manu- 
factures much known ; her mental and bodily ener- 
gies, the lucrative nature of her traffic, from reli- 
ance on her punctuality and integrity ; the judicious 
precaution in burning a nightly lamp when pre- 
datory incursions were not uncommon; 

She lateth her hand to the spindle, 

And her hands hold the distaee. 

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; 

Tea, she reacheth out her hands to the 

NEEDY. 

She is not aeraid oe the snow eor her 

HOUSEHOLD : 

For all her household are clothed with 
double garments. 

She maketh hersele coyerings oe tapestry; 
Her clothing is oe silk and purple. 
Her husband is known in the gates, 
When he sitteth among the elders oe the 

LAND. 

She maketh eine linen, and selleth it; 



THE PEOYEEBS OE SOLOMON. 



31 



And deliyeeeth oiedles to the heechant. 

All this diligence proceedeth not from covetous- 
ness ; she is "full of good works and almsdeeds 
"She steetcheth out hee hand to the pooe" 
and afflicted ; a figure significant of her seeking 
them out, of her consideration for their necessities 
and sorrows, and rendering seasonable aid with 
cheerful courteousness, so that the blessing of 
them that were ready to perish came upon her. 

Next have we the attire of herself and house- 
hold ; the tapestry, embroidered quilts 4 , and carpets 

4 The following remarks are abridged from the Art Journal : — 
Women in all ages have indulged the natural love of ornament 
by practising fancy work and embroidery for the person or the 
dwelling. The Orientals, especially the Turks, excel in it to 
this day. In the history of India it is related that Nour Mahal, 
wife of the Emperor Jehanghire, during seven years that she 
was neglected by him, supported herself by sale of her em- 
broidery. In our own country, too, spinning and weaving were 
once royal occupations. The Bayeux tapestry, so much valued 
by archaeologists for its representations of the manners of the 
age, is said to have been the work of Matilda, queen of William 
I., and her maidens. Specimens still exist of the skill of 
Catherine Parr, surviving queen of Henry VIII. An illustra- 
tion copied from an old French MS. represents a queen seated 
at a loom and in the act of throwing the shuttle, while one of 



32 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



of the mansion ; suitable to her station as wife of a 
public officer known and honoured in the places of 
judicial proceedings. 

Strength and honour are her clothing ; 

And she shall rejoice in time to come. 

She openeth her mouth with wisdom ; 

And in her tongue is the law oe kindness. 

Outward ornaments, we see, are not the principal 
decorations of this holy matron. " Strength and 
honour," moral courage and resolution, under trials, 
added to unblemished reputation, " are her cloth- 
ing, AND SHE SHALL REJOICE IN TIME TO COME." 

Yes, when the flesh and the heart fail, " she shall 
have comfort from on high;" for not alone adorns 
her a faithful discharge of active duties, but the 
gentler graces of "the hidden man of the heart." 
" She openeth her mouth with wisdom ;" right 
judgment in worldly matters, still more so in spiri- 
tual, for she "eeareth the Lord." She gives 
sound, affectionate counsel; she yields not to 
anger; indulges not in censorious or sarcastic 

her handmaidens is spinning with a distaff and spindle, as still 
practised by the Italian peasants. 



THE PROYEKBS OF SOLOMON. 



33 



remarks, but promotes the exercise of peace and 
love; for her tongue is ruled not by caprice, but 
by "the law of kindness," grace and mercy, the 
law of the Lobd. By converse on the works and 
on the dealings of Jehovah, she proves that whilst 
the hands are engaged in earthly business, the 
heart and the hopes are mounting upwards towards 
heaven. Surely wisdom like this is inexpressibly 
charming and lovely 5 ! 

5 It is probable, remarks Bridges, that Hooker, in his ex- 
quisite funeral sermon for his 4 4 virtuous gentlewoman," had 
this before his eyes when he enumerates among so many 
virtues " hearty devotion towards God ; towards poverty, tender 
compassion ; motherly affection towards servants ; towards 
friends, serviceable kindness ; mild behaviour and harmless 
meaning towards all." 

Nor must I omit his notice of Jeremy Taylor's finely-drawn 
portrait of Lady Carbery : " If we look on her as a wife, she 
was chaste and loving, discreet and humble. If we remember 
her as a mother, she was kind and severe, careful and prudent ; 
very tender, and not at all fond ; a greater lover of her chil- 
dren's souls than of their bodies, and one that would value 
them more by their strict and proper worth than by their rela- 
tion to herself. Her servants found her prudent and fit to 
govern, and yet openhanded and apt to reward ; a just exalter 
of their duty, and a great reward er of their diligence." 

D 



34 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



She looketh well to her household, 

AND eateth not the beead of idleness. 

Hee childeen aeise, and call hee BLESSED ; 

hee husband also, he peaiseth hee. 

Many daughtees haye done yietuously, 

But thou exgellest them all. 

"With what firm, yet mild and hallowed influence 
is a guardian watch maintained over family and 
dependents, regulating their occupations and form- 
ing industrious habits! And now is there before 
us a delightful scene : the children, taught from 
tender age " to show piety at home," hying proofs 
of sound instruction, by pattern no less than pre- 
cept encouraged to walk in the path of holiness to 
the mansions of rest and glory ; the children, grow- 
ing up to maturity, express aloud their grateful 
sense of her untiring assiduity, her wise admoni- 
tions, her consistent example ; they praise her, they 
invoke blessing upon her head : and the husband, 
appreciating the comforts acquired by her energy, 
and the peaceful home wherein his anxieties are 
soothed and his cares alleviated, out of the fulness 
of heart expatiates on her worth and extols her 
with affectionate eulogy, " Many dauqhtebs haye 



THE PEOYEEBS OE SOLOMON, 



35 



: DONE VIETUOUSLY (worthily), BUT THOU EXCELLEST 
! THEM ALL 1 ." 



I 

FAYOUE IS DECEITEUL AND BEAUTY IS VAIN ; 
EUT A WOMAN WHO EEAEETH THE LOED, SHE 
j SHALL BE PEAISED. 

glye hee oe the eeuit oe hee hands, 
And let hee woeks peaise hee in the gates. 
The favour of the world, whether publicly or in j 
the communications of private life, is unstable and 
deceitful ; beauty of person is no sure indication of j 
goodness within ; it exposes to danger ; it is, at 
best, a fading property ; but a woman who eeae- 
eth the loed, who neglecteth not " the one thing" 
pre-eminently "needful," who in conscientious ful- 
filment of ordinary daily duties striveth to " adorn 
the doctrine of God her Saviour," and in prayer 
seeketh His guidance and support, she shall have 
praise — praise that bids defiance to death itself — 
the peaise oe God! 

Thy works and alms and all thy good endeavour 
Staid not behind, nor in the grave were trod ; 
But as Faith pointed with her golden rod, 
Followed thee up to joy and bliss for ever. 

D 2 



36 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



Love led them on, and Faith who knew them best, 
Thy handmaids, clad them o'er with purple beams 
And azure wings, that up they flew, so drest, 
And spake the truth of thee on glorious thrones 
Before the Judge, who thenceforth bid thee rest 
And drink thy fill of pure immortal streams 6 . 

Outward business, in our day, devolves upon the 
husband, and, except in the humbler ranks, unceas- 
ing toil is not required of females ; thus is there 
more leisure at disposal for labours of love ; for 
cheering the dwelling of sickness and sorrow ; for 
contemplating the ways and works of Providence : 
and the Christian wife, observing with imitative 
eye the picture here delineated, will find no portion 
of time consumed in mere amusement, or in worldly 
pleasures, but the whole of it occupied to the glory 
of God and for the benefit of man. 

Fly not the household task, the duteous care, 
Each gladness heighten and each sorrow share : 
Where pine the poor, be near thy help to lend ; 
Be thou thy brother's aid, thy server's friend ; 
With Martha's zeal, yet Mary's better part, 
Walk thou within thy house with perfect heart. 



G The latter part of an enchanting sonnet by Milton on the 
religious memory of a Christian friend. 



SECTION IV. 

ECCLESIASTES. 

In this valuable portion of sacred oriental philo- 
sophy, Solomon resolves the question concerning 
the chief happiness of man \ He states the varied 
and powerful results of his own great experience, 
assuring us that no created good can satisfy the 
soul, and that all earthly pursuits, unless they 
have reference to its interests, are vain and unsatis- 
fying : and as the conviction of this must be a 
means, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, of 
leading the mind to Christ, we see in the book a 
gracious method to make us wise unto salvation 
through faith in Him 2 . The enlightened monarch 

1 A few expressions here and antecedently have been adopted 
from the Biblical Cyclopaedia. 

2 Parts of the book are difficult to understand ; and some have 
supposed it to be a dialogue or dramatic composition, senti- 



38 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



and preacher concludes his masterly production 
with the noble precept — 

ments of a sceptical nature being recited in order to be carefully 
confuted. Professor Stowe's view is so ingenious that I append 
it : " The method is the most vivid that can be imagined. In- 
stead of describing the various processes of thought and feeling 
through which he passed in the course of his eventful life, the whole 
heart of the king is taken out and held up before our eyes, with 
every thing it contains, both good and bad. The secret cham- 
bers of his soul are thrown open, and we see every thought and 
feeling as it arises in the mind, and in the exact shape in which 
it first presents itself, without any of those modifications by 
which men soften down the harder features of their first 
thoughts before they give them utterance to their fellow-men. 
. . . . Solomon, seeking happiness in the things of earth, is 
disappointed and disgusted; and instead of repenting of his 
errors, he becomes dissatisfied with the arrangements of Pro- ; 
vidence, misanthropic and sceptical. His conscience, however, ! 
is not entirely asleep, but occasionally interposes to check his : 
murmurings and reprove his follies. In this state of mind he is 
introduced in the character of Choheleth [the Hebrew term for 
the Preacher, of which Ecclesiastes is the Greek], and gives 
full and strong utterance to his feelings. Hence inconsistent 
statements and wrong sentiments are occasionally to be ex- 
pected in the progress of the discourse, and it is not till at the 
close of the book that all his errors are corrected, and he comes 
to f the conclusion of the whole matter,' an humbled, penitent, ! 
believing, and religious man." 



ECCLESIASTES. 



39 



" Remember thy Creator even in thy youth 
Before the unhappy days arrive 
Or the years approach, 

When thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them." 

And after a faithful and affecting picture of the 
gradual advance of old age and death, he puts 
before us the consoling prospect of a future exist- 
ence in the presence of God Himself. 

" Then shall the dust of the body return to the earth which 
it sprang from ; 
The spirit itself shall ascend to dwell with its Giver on 
high." 

In chapter ix. 7 — 10 there is something to our 
immediate purpose : 

g-0 thy wat, eat tut beead with jot, and 
deink tht wine with a mebby heaet ; eoe 
God sow accepteth tht woeks. Let tht 
gaements be alwats white ; and let tht 
head lack no ointment. llye joteullt with 
the wiee whom thou loyest all the dats oe 

THE LIEE OE THT YANITT, WHICH He HATH 
GIYEN THEE UNDEE THE SUN: EOE THAT IS THT 
POETION IN THIS LIEE, AND IN THT LABOUE 
WHICH THOU TAKE ST UNDEE THE SUN. WHAT- j 



40 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



SOEVER THY HAND FINDETH TO DO, DO IT WITH 

THY MIGHT; EOR THEEE IS NO WORK, NOR DE- 

Y1CE, NOR KNOWLEDGE, NOR WISDOM, IN THE 
GRAVE, WHITHER THOU GOEST. 

The wines of ancient times, though milder than 
ours, possessed likewise an inebriating element, and 
against the abuse of any one of the gifts of a gra- 
cious Providence, the Scriptures are full of awful 
denunciations. The wine commonly used in Pales- 
tine was pure "blood of the grape," freshly ex- 
pressed, like that supplied to Huram's labourers in 
Lebanon (2 Chron. ii. 10), unadulterated by stimu- 
lating infusions ; — a syrup such as the unfermented 
wine which, as travellers inform us, the Turks carry 
with them on their journeys. On the term " merry " 
I wo aid observe, that though now applied to light 
sportive joy, it was formerly not so ; and through- 
out this book, as also in the prophecy of Isaiah and 
the Epistle of St. James, it denotes a state of mind 
free from distress, happy, agreeable, and cheerful. 
The direction in the passage is of similar import 
with those of St. Paul (Phil. iv. 3), "Bejoice ever- 
more," and (1 Thess. v. 8), "Bejoice in the Lord 
alwayj" and a good illustration of the nature of 



ECCLESIASTES. 



41 



this joy is found in the proceedings of the first 
Christians as described in Acts ii. 46, " They, con- 
tinuing daily with one accord in the temple . . . 
did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of 
heart, praising God." An instance of similar con- 
duct will be found in ISTeh. viii. 10. This is the joy 
recommended by the wise king : the gladness of 
heart which arises from a sense of the Divine ap- 
proval. We must seek acceptance with God before 
we venture to look with satisfaction in outward 
things ; but when through grace we have obtained 
a good conscience and a lively hope, we may enjoy 
the bounty of our heavenly Eather, rejoice in His 
perfections, His government and promises. The 
world would persuade that a hearty devotion to 
His service is a gloomy, repulsive thing, debarring 
us from reasonable enjoyment. 0 credit it not! 
Eeligion's " ways are ways of pleasantness, and all 
her paths peace." Happiness, peaceful serenity, 
are the privileges, the duty 3 , of each faithful ser- 
vant. He can, under all events, look up to God as 
his reconciled Father, who loves him, cares for him, 

3 See Part ii. sect, v., term " sober." 



42 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



and watches over his safety; and he can, in the 
confidence of faith, commit himself and all his in- 
terests to almighty wisdom and love. He realizes 
the continual presence of his Eedeemer (John xiv. ' 
23), and thus amid all changes is he filled with pre- I 
sent comfort and holy inspiring hopes. 

In a previous part of the book (chapter vii. 27) 
the great Hebrew monarch had declared his own 
ill success in meeting with female excellence ; nor, 
when we consider his course, can we feel surprise. 
Inflamed with power and prosperity, and in violation 
of an express prohibition, he had gathered around j 
him a vast number of wives from idolatrous nations 
(1 Kings xi.), instead of concentring his affections 
upon one. Was it to be expected that any of these 
would be a person of virtue and piety ? And may 
we not conclude that amidst the rivalry and the 
jealousies of such a multitude his life was dis- 
quieted ? Yet is not his language that of peevish 
satire, but of humble penitence, confessing in bit- 
terness of heart his departure from the ways of the 
Lord ; and in the passage brought before us in the 
beginning of this section he leads us to believe that 
by the society of a wtee a man's sorrows will be 



ECCLESIASTES. 



43 



lightened and his happiness increased. How much 
more does this prove so, if she be "loving and 
amiable, faithful and obedient, and in all quietness, 
sobriety, and peace, a follower of holy and godly 
matrons 4 ! " 

A guardian angel o'er his life presiding, 
Doubling his pleasures, and his cares dividing ; 
How oft her eyes read his ; her gentle mind 
To all his wishes, all his thoughts inclined 
Still subject. 



4 " The great secret of conjugal happiness," as Barnes observes, 
" is in the cultivation of a proper temper. It is not so much in 
the great and trying scenes of life that the strength of virtue is 
tested ; it is in the events that are constantly occurring ; the 
manifestation of kindness in the things that are happening 
every moment ; the gentleness that flows along every day like 
the stream that winds through the meadow and around the 
house, noiseless, but diffusing fertility by day and by night. 
Great deeds rarely occur. The happiness of life depends little 
on them, but mainly on little acts of kindness. We need 
them every where. We need them always and eminently in the 
marriage relation. There is need of gentleness and love return- 
ing every morning, beaming in the eye and dwelling in the 
heart through the livelong day." 

And in the similarly graphic language of another writer : 
" Peace at home is one of the choicest blessings, and one of the 
best methods for insuring peace outwardly and to the whole 



44 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



The Preacher concludes this portion of his sapient 
moralizing with the solemn admonition, that whilst 
we duly cultivate the social affections, and strive to 
be pleasing to our dear friends and relations ; whilst 
we use the comforts of this life and bear patiently 
its distresses, we must ever keep in mind that all 
things which here below we possess or enjoy are 
passing away, and that we must aim at nobler 
attainments, even a growing fitness of soul, in holi- 
ness of character, feelings, and views, for the em- 

! 

compass of society. The brawls of the fireside are some of the 
i worst wars that are waged ; they stab the heart in the tenderest 
| spot. Where we looked for quiet, behold tumult; where we 
expected rest, vexation of spirit. To learn to bear and to for- 
bear ; to give generously, and to yield gracefully ; to prefer to 
lose the argument rather than the temper ; to be willing to 
suffer a great wrong rather than do the least wrong ; to give 
way to the unfortunate temper of others rather than gain a 
point at the cost of a war of words ; a few such plain habits 
would prevent a world of trouble, and spread joy and happiness 
through scenes where every blessing may be poisoned by the 
corrosion of embittered feelings. How beautiful on this earth 
is a family dwelling in peace and affection I 

" Kindness indeed cannot stand alone, nor support the whole 
fabric of the character with its single column ; as what virtue 
can ? It is perhaps a little thing, — the kind word, the kind 



ECCLESIASTES. 



45 



ployments of the life eternal. We should use all 
things in subserviency to the glory of God, allow- 
ing neither the gratifications of the present state, 
nor its trials, to make us negligent in our several 
duties. Time is winging its onward flight to eter- 
nity: O let us live as "new creatures with new 
motives, principles, and objects : "yield our" seve- 
ral " members as instruments of righteousness unto 
God," and thus " adorn the doctrine of God our 

look, the cordial token of recognition, the thoughtful remem- 
brance, the slight favour, the passing salutation of good will, 
the forbearance to say what momentary impatience may sug- 
gest, the deference to others' words, the readiness to hearken, 
and the candour to judge, — these and the thousand other modes 
of expressing and cherishing kindness of heart and manners ; 
they are little, and some may think, insignificant things ; but 
they cannot be spared : for they are slight yet essential links 
of pure happiness. They make or mar our peace more than 
poverty or riches, complexion, caste, plain furniture, or side- 
boards of gold and silver. They may be humble virtues, and 
none could claim for them much ; and they are liable, like all 
current coin, to be confounded with the counterfeit ; yet how 
inexpressibly delightful is it to meet with them in the thorny 
paths : and though we may, perchance, not call the dear friends 
of our fireside wise or graceful, beautiful or eloquent, still what 
an indescribable and heavenly charm lingers around those in 
whose 1 tongue is the law of kindness.' " — Livermore. 



46 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



Saviour," and be useful in our day and generation, 

" FOR THERE IS NO WORK, NOR DEYICE, NOR KNOW- 
LEDGE, nor wisdom, in the grave," whither we 
are hastening every moment. 

Soon shall end thy earthly mission, 

Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days, 
Hope shall change to glad fruition, 

Faith to sight, and prayer to praise. 





m lM\m af Jfiorririr lift 



A union, purest, most sublime; 
The grave itself but for a time 

The holy bond shall sever : 
His hand who rent shall bind again 

To be complete for ever ! 

And after the long vernal day of life 

Together freed, their gentle spirits fly 

To scenes where bliss and love immortal reign. 




PAET II. 



flTifje Jieto Testament. 



Thomson . 



THE KEW TESTAMENT. 



i 

We now come to the Christian dispensation; to 
the directions for married life which its fuller light 
reveals. As in the G-ospels there are but two pas- 
sages bearing immediately upon the subject, which 
shall be duly introduced in our course, we proceed 
at once to the Epistles. It has seemed fit to the 
Holy Spirit in this portion of His word to instruct 
us, not in formal treatises, but in familiar letters 
written under His guidance to Churches or indivi- 
duals to meet particular exigencies, affording an 
infallible commentary upon the words of our Lord, 
and more fully explaining the mysteries of our holy 
faith. In some of them we shall find most valuable 
instruction upon the duties of married persons. 

e 



50 



• THE NE¥ TESTAMENT. 



SECTION I. 

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS K 

The writer is one of the most eminent characters 
of ancient times, manifesting throughout a life of 
missionary enterprise, an undaunted heroism, en- 
thusiastic ardour, and indomitable perseverance, 
united to an affectionate spirit and a firmness of 
purpose. This Epistle has ever been valued for its 
elevated, vivid, and glowing illustrations of Divine 
truth. The Apostle's mind is transported by the ! 
grandeur of his principal subject, — the riches of 

1 Ephesus was renowned for its magnificence, its luxury, and ! 
the practice of sorcery. During Paul's brief sojourn there ! 
many were turned from idols to serve the true God. In times 
succeeding it became the seat of a metropolitan bishop, and the 
place wherein was held a famous general council ; but " the can- 
dlestick has been removed " (Rev. ii. 5), and it lies in ruins 
and uninhabited; and the country around, once abounding 
with flourishing Churches, is occupied by the worshippers of ; 
Mahommed or of the Virgin Mary. Can the Christian think 
on these things without wafting up a prayer that the calamitous 
war now raging may be so ordered by Him " who ruleth in the 
kingdom of men " as to hasten the period when spiritual dark- 
ness shall no longer cover this beautiful portion of the globe ! 



EPHESIANS. 



51 



redeeming love ; and whilst dwelling minutely on 
our duties, he rests the motive to each on our rela- 
tions to the Son and the Holy Spirit. 

In chapter v., having exhorted Christians to 
mutual concession towards each other, he goes on 
(verse 22) to illustrate this in married life, showing 
" the surpassing honour given to that state ; he 

\ compares the tenderness of the Eedeemer's love to 
the tenderness of conjugal love, introducing this, 

: the closest of human ties, as an example of the 

; greatest Divine mercies 2 ." 

AVlYES, SUBMIT YOURSELVES UNTO YOUR OWN 
HUSBANDS, AS UNTO THE LORD. FOR THE HUS- 
BAND IS THE HEAD OE THE WIEE, EYEN AS CHRIST 
IS THE HEAD OE THE CHURCH : AND HE IS THE 
SAVIOUR OE THE BODY. ThEREEORE AS THE 

Church is subject unto Christ, so let the 

! 

! WIVES BE SUBJECT TO THEIR OWN HUSBANDS IN 
EYERY THING 3 . 

2 Abp. Sumner. 

3 " Type of Christ's Church, image of his spiritual spouse ! 
S remember that, as she is the mother of pure and holy children, 

so must thou be ; thou must be the mother of Abel, not of 
Cain ; thou must add champions to the host of God, not revellers 
to the rout of Belial." — Rectory of Valehead. [" Through 
E 2 



52 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



Wives ! show cheerful submission to your hus- 
bands in every thing within the compass of the con- 

" Through what a peculiar and solemn train of thoughts are we 
led from the outward and every-day rite, taking away our sight 
from common objects and fixing it upon the ark of our salvation, 
directing the mind in one comprehensive glance backward to 
prophecy, and forward to fulfilment, and bidding us, in the 
dearest of our natural connexions, to look to the most precious 
of our spiritual ! Thus, as in every other instance, does the 
Gospel lay its sanctifying hand upon each act and incident, and 
refines it to pure spirituality." — Ibid. 

" The Gospel is the moving power that regulates the Chris- 
tian's heart in every imaginable position in which he can stand 
to his fellow-creature, and ought to carry its influence in the 
performance of every duty, of whatsoever nature the duty be. 
The line of conduct here laid down is addressed to a godly 
woman, to a woman who brings her duty to her husband in 
direct connexion with her duty to her God. Her own will may 
be crossed, her own temper tried ; she may be (as no doubt 
will be the case with all conditions of humanity where we have 
to do with one another, selfish and sinful as we are) tried in 
several ways ; but she has her ' stronghold to which she may 
continually resort she has her Lord always to direct, to guide, 
to enable her, according to His blessed word, thus to regulate 
her conduct." — Mc Ghee. 

" The words, 6 as unto the Lord,' do not point to the source 
of duty, but describe its nature. The submission of the wife is 
in kind that of the Church to Christ. It is not forced, but it 



EPHESIANS. 



53 



jugal obligation ; the Divine law, no less than 
jour own frame of mind and body, requires this, as 
necessary to domestic order and peace : for in the 
pre-eminence conferred upon the husband there is 
a resemblance of the intimate relation subsisting 
between Christ the Head and the Church His 

springs from loyal attachment, from her conscious need of sup- 
port and protection, from a just view of the relationship in 
which she stands, a helpmate, and of the original and continued 
destiny of her sex. She may be in many respects man's supe- 
rior, — in delicacy of sentiment, warmth of devotion, strength of 
moral heroism, power and patience of self-denial, and general 
sympathy with suffering and distress. Still the obedience in- 
culcated by the Apostle sits gracefully upon her, and is in har- 
mony with all that is fair and feminine in her position and 
temperament." — Eadie. 

" Had the Apostle," says Bp. Daniel Wilson, " placed the 
matter of authority on the footing of age, influence, education, 
beauty, health, fortune, how constantly would disputes have 
been generated ! but now that it stands on the command of 
God, all is harmony and peace. . . . Nothing can show more 
I clearly the wisdom of the Divine rule, than the wretchedness, 
! misery, and often ruin, temporal and eternal, which follow from 
the assumption, on the part of the wife, of an authority which 
God has prohibited, and from the consequent jealousy and con- 
tention which it engenders on the part of the husband, of a 
bitterness which St. Paul expressly forbids." 



54 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



body : the head is the source of vital influence to 
the body, and has no interest distinct from it : 
Christ preserves the Church from injury, and sup- 
plies it with every thing requisite for its benefit : 
and in like way is it your husbands' office to pro- 
tect, provide for, and comfort you, and promote 
your advancement in faith and holiness. 

Husbands, loye your wives, even as Christ 
also loyed the church, and gave hlmsele 

FOR IT ; THAT He MIGHT SANCTIEY AND CLEANSE 

it with the washing of water by the word, 
that He might present it to Himself a glo- 
rious Church, not haying spot, or wrinkle, 
or any such thing; but that it should be 
holy and without blemish. so ought men 
to loye their wives even as their own bodies, 
he that loyeth his wife loyeth himself, 
for no man ever yet hated his own flesh; 
but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as 
the Lord the Church: for we are members 
of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. 
For this cause shall a man leaye his father 
and mother, and shall be joined unto his 
wife, and they two shall be one flesh. this 



EPHESIAKS. 



55 



is a great mtsteet: but i speak concerklno 
Christ and the Church. Nevertheless let 
eyert one oe you in particular so loye his 
WIFE eyen as himsele; and the wiee see 

THAT SHE REYERENCE HER HUSBAND. 

Te husbands ! love your wives ; not with mere 
earthly selfish attachment, inconstant and readily 
estranged by the trials and vicissitudes of life ; but 
with permanent, with spiritual affection: take as 
your model an example of love the most wonderful 
that has ever been evinced, — the love of Christ to 
the Church 4 : a love so inconceivably pure, fervent, 
and inalienable, undeserving and rebellious as was 
the object, that He shrank not from a death of 
anguish and ignominy in order to effect its pardon 

4 A theme upon which the New Testament writers delight to 
expatiate. This Apostle (Rom. viii. 39), after describing the 
wondrous condescension exhibited in the plan of salvation, 
demands, "What shall separate us from the love of Christ ?" 

j and proceeds in animated strains of triumph to offer bold 
defiance to any created thing to effect it, whether adversity, 
prosperity, the violence of men or evil spirits : and truly this 
love of our adorable Redeemer is the grand magnet to draw 
men to Him, subduing their stubborn wills, and constraining 

j them to a hearty surrender of themselves to His service. 



56 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



and reconciliation, covenanting in baptism 5 the in- 
fluence of His Spirit to subdue sin and to apply 
the word of truth to the heart, that having purified, 
He might consecrate it 6 by complete and eternal 

5 The Church is the bride, the Lamb's wife ; and in her bap- 
tism there is allusion to the Eastern customary ablutions of a 
bride, and to the spotless purity of her attire. Since this para- 
phrase was written I have had access to a valuable work, 
" Conybeare and Howson's Life and Epistles of St. Paul," in 
which there is the following note : " Literally, by the laver of 
the water ; equivalent to the washing of regeneration, Titus 
iii. 5. St. Paul explains ' the word ' to be equivalent to 4 the 
word of faith which we preach ' (Rom. x. 8), and the ' word of 
God 9 (Rom. x. 17. Eph. vi. 17) ; and the junction of ' by the 
word ' with ' that he might sanctify ' better suits the Greek. On 
this view the meaning is, that the Church, having been purified 
by the waters of baptism, is hallowed by the mind of God 
imparted to it, whether mediately or immediately. Compare 
Heb. iv. 12, 13." Professor Eadie inclines to a different con- 
nexion of the terms. My volume being designed for general 
readers, I must not dwell longer than to refer to his Com- 
mentary, in which the various views of critics on the passage 
will be found. 

0 " His expiatory death was an indispensable pre-requisite to 
this cleansing and consecration. Pardon and purity, the gift of 
the Spirit, and the power of the word, spring from the atone- ! 
ment. The atonement has this legal influence, that God, who 
prepared and has accepted it, can pardon and purify in full con- 



EPHESIAtfS. 57 

union with Himself. With such self-abandoning, 
sanctifying love should you, husband, love your 

sistency with the honour of His character and the full require- 
ments of His government ; and it has also this moral influence, 
that where it is trusted in, and where its blessings are enjoyed, 
it moves the heart to love and vigilance, sets Jesus before it as 
the great Exemplar, and furnishes it with all those motives 
which urge it with resistless power to the purity and fervour of 
a life of self- consecration. 

" For this Church Jesus died, that He might consecrate and 
cleanse it by His blood, His Spirit, and His word. It is this 
Church, so redeemed and sanctified, which Jesus sets apart to 
Himself as His special possession and enjoyment. . . . Such 
then is the ultimate perfection and destiny of the Church. In 
her spotless purity the love of Christ finds its extreme and glo- 
rious design realized. The love which led Him to die, to 
bestow pardon, and to secure newness of life, is not contented 
till its object be robed in unsullied and unchanging purity. But 
where is this perfection for the first time possessed, and when 
does this presentation take place ? We have already seen that 
the presentment is not contemporary with the consecration, but 
is posterior to it, as the result comes after the process. And 
that result does not take place finally and formally on earth. 
The Church we understand, in its full significance, as the whole 
body of the redeemed, personified and represented as a spiritual 
spouse. The species shall have completed its cycle of existence 
on earth; and every one whom the Saviour's all-seeing eye 
beheld as belonging to His Church, and whom, therefore, He 



58 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



wife. She has become identified with you in in- 
terests and desires ; and as natural instinct teaches 
you not to slight your body, or care less for its 
welfare on account of weakness, deformity, or ten- 
dency to disease, but to oppose every thing which 
would contribute to its injury, so should you love 
your wife, as being indeed your own body. In 
similar way does our compassionate and gracious 
Lord bear with the offences of His people, and 
casts them not off. Is it not a cheering truth that 
we are members of His body? Conformable to 
this is the appointment of the old dispensation, 
confirmed by Himself in the new, that the marriage 

I 

loved, and died for, and cleansed, has shared in the final redemp- 
tion." 

This extract is more protracted than was my intention, yet 
the subject is no barren uninteresting speculation, but one on 
which it is most important to hold sound opinions ; and this 
writer's statement of it is clear and distinct, refuting the theory 
of those who would place the merits of Christ's sufferings not 
in their vicarious endurance of a penalty incurred by us, but in 
the moral excellence of Him who endured them ; and also the j 
false notion lately revived by Professor Maurice, which regards 
the love of Christ as the redeeming element of the atonement ; 
thereby, as Eadie exposes it, placing the motive for the act. 



EPHESIANS. 



59 



bond should be stronger than the natural, and sur- 
mount the nearest ties of kindred, insomuch that a 
man shall forego the society of the dear relatives to 
whom he owed his birth, and adhere closely to this 
his second self; and they shall be united in as 
familiar and undivided companionship as if they 
were one soul and one body. 

I have cited the words of Scripture in regard to 
marriage, but I use them in a still higher sense. 
Herein is a great profound truth; Divine love is 
prefigured and illustrated ; love which no one can 
understand or appreciate without the teaching of 
the Holy Spirit : I mean the sacred union 7 between 

7 In the Gospel of St. John, Jesus Himself expresses this 
anion in terms upon which the believer may meditate with deep 
gratitude and reverential awe. " Our thoughts/' Scott observes, 
" are swallowed up in those depths of wisdom and love, in those 
mysteries of the Godhead ; the light of heaven can alone reveal 
them to us." 

How just and pious is the comment of Barnes : " We have a 
Saviour who is in no respect deficient in wisdom, power, and 
grace to redeem and save us. There is nothing necessary for 
our salvation which He is not qualified to do ; there is nothing 
which we need to fulfil our duties, to meet temptation, to bear 
trial, which He is not able to impart. We may go to Him in 
all our troubles, weaknesses, temptations, and wants, and may 



60 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



Christ the husband and the body of believers His 
bride ; that He, " who is God over all," should 
have looked down with such tender pity on our 
fallen race, as to receive it into union with Him- 
self, to regard it as part of Himself and to accom- 
plish a plan for raising it by holiness to never- 
ending felicity. 

I have spoken of the Church in a collective view; 
bat to the married my exhortation has reference in 
their individual capacity. Tou, husband, are sup- 
plied with motives to cherish your wife with the 
same affection as you do yourself, defending in 
danger, comforting in trial, providing against con- 
tingency, enduring any sacrifices for her benefit ; 
nay, ready with willing self-devotion to forfeit your 
very life sooner than she should perish or be in 
danger ; and you, wife, on your part, treat your 
husband with respectful esteem, in no instance 
venturing to assume his authority, but making it 
your object to please and gratify him. 

Above all, ye human pair, linked together for a 

be supplied from his fulness, just as, if we were thirsty, we 
might go to an ocean of pure water and drink. " 



EPHESIAFS. 



61 



time in bonds thus intimate and hallowed, be it 
your grand aim to draw each other into closer 
resemblance to the likeness of the adorable Saviour; 
let Him be the pattern for your unceasing imita- 
tion ; consecrate to Htm your highest love ! 

Sweet solace, that for those who slumber, 

Lord, in Thy rest, if worthy we, 
We, who now mourn, complete their number 
In bliss shall see. 

Such bliss be mine, all-righteous Father, 

All worthless I, save for His name, 
Who comes His purchased flock to gather, 
His own to claim. 

Sundial of Armoy. 



SECTION II. 



THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. 

A letter by the same hand to the Asiatic Church 
of Colosse next claims our attention : it is a pithy 
and earnest composition, guarding believers in 
Christ against Gentile philosophy and Jewish tra- 
dition, and showing that the whole work of our 
salvation dependeth upon Him alone in whom 
dwelleth, in a bodily shape, all the fulness of the 
Divine nature and perfections. 

In chapter iii. is urged the fulfilment of our 
duties from a principle of gratitude to this loving 
Redeemer. The resemblance between this Epistle 
and that which lately we have been considering i 
is so striking as to justify the remark of " the one 
being in most places a commentary upon the other,' ' 
and the advice to married persons is similar ; but 
as in the adjoined expression a slight change arises, 
some brief separate notice is rendered necessary. 



C0L0SSIANS. 



63 



Verses 18, 19. Wiyes, submit toukselyes 
unto toue, own husbands, as it is pit in the 
Lobd. Husbands, loye youb wiyes, and be 
not bittee against them 1 . 

"Wife ! resign your own wishes to those of your 
husband; to do so becomes your profession of 
faith in Christ : yet not in any way which contra- 
venes the higher duty owing to Him. And to you, 
husband, my requirement is, not that you rule your 
wife, — this might afford pretext for despotic exac- 
tion 2 ; but I sum up your duty in the gentle term 

1 When we reflect on the manner in which the duties of the 
conjugal relation were violated by the heathen ; how much 
there was of the harshness of the tyrant in the heathen husband, 
and of the baseness of the slave in the character of the heathen 
wife; how much pollution prevailed in what should be the 
sanctuary of purity and love, we cannot help seeing that few 
things were more calculated to strike, and that favourably, 
heathen observers, than the example of the genius and power of 
Christianity in softening the character of the husband, and 
elevating at once the conduct and character of the wife ; and in 
thus introducing into the domestic circle an order, and purity, 
and endearment far beyond what philosophy had accomplished 
or even dreamed of. — Brown. 

2 This is strongly urged by Jeremy Taylor in a brief and 
pithy sentence : " He certainly is strangely sacrilegious, and a 



64 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



love. From you be far removed reproachful or 
harsh language to your endeared partner, not to 
speak of quarrelling or unkind usage, be her infir- 
mities and failings what they may. All those meek 
and tender graces which in the passages preceding 
I have commanded, of forbearance, charity, peace, 
and the like, should be specially observed towards 
her, and uphold her authority in the domestic 
sphere. As your union is designed for mutual aid 
and comfort, her subjection should not be greater 
than suits the dear relation in which you mutually 
stand. It is the Lord's will that she concede to 
you (not as to a rigorous tyrant, an abuse incurring 
grievous culpability, but), that you with benign 

violator of the laws of hospitality and of sanctuary, who uses 
her rudely who is fled for protection not only to his house, but 
also to his heart and bosom." 

" In this brief and powerful enforcement of the conjugal obli- 
gations, the corresponding duty of husbands is expressed not by 
the correlative term " command," but by the softer one "love," 
and a caution is added against the effect which even this gentle 
authority may produce on his rougher nature. When irrita- 
tions occur, do not vent upon your wife the bitterness excited 
in the mind by others in the world abroad." — Bp. Daniel 
Wilson. 



colossiaists. 65 

influence may act in all ways for her protection and 
her welfare. 

Subjoined are the valuable observations of Abp. 
Sumner : " Left to itself, the heart is like a ship in 
the midst of a wide sea, tossed about by opposing 
waves, carried in every direction, according to the 
passion which may prevail. The Gospel shows the 
course which it must take, overcoming those winds 
and waves ; gives special instruction suited to the 
different circumstances of mankind, that each may 
be so directed as to accomplish the will of the 
Chief Ruler. From the moment that sin entered 
into the world there could be no perfect unity of 
will. It became needful to the welfare of the 
household that one should lead and the other should 
obey. Therefore the decree was uttered concerning 
the woman, c Thy desire shall be to thy husband, 
and he shall rule over thee.' But love, as it makes 
obedience pleasant, so it makes command gentle; 
and so ought men to love their wives even as them- 
selves, as given of God to be 'an help meet for 
them,' since c it is not good for man to be alone ' 
in his earthly pilgrimage — given to be his adviser, 
his comfort, his companion." 

F 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



She round thy sweet domestic bower 
The wreath of fadeless love shall twine ; 

Watch for thy step at vesper hour, 

And blend her holiest prayer with thine." 



SECTION III. 

THE FIRST GENERAL EPISTLE OF PETER. 

This Apostle's character is marked by fearlessness 
and simplicity ; by his strong faith and ardent love ; 
by the prompt decision with which he carried ont 
the purposes of his Master. He was one of three 
Apostles distinguished by our Lord, but no official 
superiority was given him: he does not mention 
any thing of the kind himself. The charge to him 
in St. John's Gospel was an admonition to future 
self-watchfulness. In Acts viii. he is sent by the 
other Apostles instead of claiming power over them. 
In Acts xv., when he had given his opinion, James 
deliberates further, and presiding, determines the 
question ;' and on one occasion he was reproved by 
Paul, of whom he afterwards, to his own honour, 
speaks as "his beloved brother." These few re- 
marks will suffice to show how weak is the founda- 
f 2 



68 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



tion on which rest the claims of the Italian bishops 
as his infallible successors. 

In one respect, however, a peculiar dignity was 
conferred upon him. He was the first herald of 
the Gospel ; the first to unlock the riches of Christ, 
— to the Jews on the day of Pentecost, to the Gen- 
tiles in the centurion's house ; and thus though the 
Church be built upon the foundation of all the 
Apostles (Eph. ii. 20), yet, as a reward for his 
prompt confession, he was allowed to be the first 
founder. (Matt, xvi. 18, 19.) 

His Epistles are characterized by a noble vehe- 
mence and fervour, together with much tenderness, 
and by energetic statements of the most cheering 
portions of the Gospel. ~No part of the sacred 
records abounds in more richness of heavenly truth 
or depth of spiritual experience. 

This his Eirst Epistle is one of the finest books of 
the New Testament. It is beautifully described 
by Leighton: "A brief yet clear summary both 
of the consolations and instructions necessary 
for the encouragement and direction of a Christian 
on his journey to heaven, elevating his thoughts 
and desires to that happiness, and strengthening 



THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER. 69 

him against all opposition in the way, both that of 
corruption within, and temptations and afflictions 
from without. The main doctrines insisted on are 
faith, obedience, and patience ; to establish be- 
lievers, to direct them in doing, and to comfort 
them in suffering." 

In the opening salutation there is distinctly 
stated the concurrence of the Godhead in Redemp- 
tion, and the separate office of each of the Divine 
persons. On reaching the third chapter we find 
directions to Christian wives ; how important their 
conduct is to the progress of true religion, and 
therefore their adorning should be not with design 
to please men, but to obtain the approbation of the 
Lord. 

Likewise, te wives, be in subjection to 
your, own husbands ; that, ie ant obey not 
the word, they also may without the word 
be won by the conversation oe the wives 1 ; 
while they behold your chaste 2 conyer- 

1 See sect. v. 

2 " I have known some wives, making a profession of reli- 
gion, and married to ungodly men, who have made religion 
odious to their husbands by the manner in which they con- 



70 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



SATION COUPLED WITH FEAR. WHOSE ADORN- 
ING LET IT NOT BE THAT OUTWARD ADORN- 
ING 3 OF PLAITING THE HAIR, AND WEARING OF 

ducted themselves towards them ; thinking that because they 
were religious and their husbands were not so, therefore they 
could regulate and order every thing in their own way. If her 
husband be an ungodly man, she should, if possible, be the 
more careful in discharge of her duty. It is a grievous evil 
when the effect of religion is to lead persons who profess it to 
exhibit neglect of duty or unamiability of temper. I have 
known, on the contrary, a pious woman married to an irreligious 
man so to adorn the doctrine of Christ, that she made religion 
sweet even to those who knew it not ; made them respect the 
influence of religion in her, though they did not honour it for 
its own sake." — M'Ghee. 

3 This is to be understood in a limited sense : as St. John vi. 
27, " Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that which 
endureth to everlasting life which it is evident does not mean 
that we are not to labour for the needful food of the body, but 
that we are still more earnestly to labour for the spiritual food 
of the soul; otherwise it would oppose the plain direction 
(2 Thess. iii. 10), " If any would not work, neither should he eat.' 1 
Similar phraseology is found in St. Luke, xiv. 26 : "If any 
come after me, and hate not his father .... he cannot be my 
disciple that is, my commands must supersede every thing 
else ; no ties of relationship are to interfere with it. 

" The love of ornament," says Dr. Brown, " belongs to the 
species, butpeculiarly so to the female part of it. The prophet 



THE EIRST EPISTLE OE PETER. 



71 



GOLD, OR OE PUTTING OlS" OE APPAREL; BUT LET 
IT BE THE HIDDEN MAN OE THE HEART, IN THAT 
WHICH IS NOT CORRUPTIBLE, EYEN THE ORNA- 
MENT OE A MEEK AND QUIET SPIRIT, WHICH IS j 
IN THE SIGHT OE GrOD OE GREAT PRICE. FOR ! 
AETER THIS MANNER IN THE OLD TIME THE HOLT 
WOMEN ALSO, WHO TRUSTED IN GOD, ADORNED 
THEMSELYES, BEING IN SUBJECTION UNTO THEIR 
OWN HUSBANDS : EYEN AS SARA OBEYED ABRA- 
HAM, CALLING HIM LORD : WHOSE DAUGHTERS YE 
ARE, AS LONG AS YE DO WELL, AND ARE NOT 
AERAID WITH ANY AMAZEMENT. 

The admonition may be thus expanded : 
Ye who are wives, be not deficient in prompt obe- 
dience and affectionate respect to your husbands ; 
and should any of you be united to one who is still j 

describes it as unlikely that a maid should forget her ornaments, * 
or a bride her attire (Jer. ii. 32). And there is nothing wrong 
in the principle itself ; it serves important purposes ; the want 
of it is a serious drawback. A sloven is disagreeable, a slattern 
intolerable. Christianity makes no war on any of man's natural 
principles, but the abuse of them. Its object is not to extir- 
pate, but to prune them, to train them, to make them yield 
good fruit." 



72 



THE KEW TESTAMENT. 



unconverted to the truth as it is in Jesus, do not 
enter into disputation 4 with him, which may excite 
the pride of the natural heart ; but by the quiet 
persuasive influence of prudent speech, tender en- 
treaty, and unaffected piety of life, exemplify the 
power of godliness. Thus, by Divine aid, for which 
you will unremittingly apply, prejudice may be 
softened, and your endeared partner be won over 
to discern the love oe Cheist, and, blessed 
result ! you prove the means of his conversion and 
salvation: for your patient meekness and perse- 
vering faithfulness must (in the Lord's good time) 
attract his serious thoughts, and press home the 
conviction upon his soul that the Gospel is a heart- 
working thing, powerfully operative upon the whole 

4 This interpretation may surprise such as, being unac- 
quainted with the original, are not aware that it stands " aneu 
logo," literally "without word," that is, without discussion, say 
the authors quoted in " Trollope's Analecta;" the prudent con- 
duct of a Christian wife being a tacit proof of the benefits of 
Christianity. Many commentators, however, accept our autho- 
rized version, as Hammond, Henry, Dr. Brown, and even Barnes : 
though the reasoning of the latter seems to me to tell, in this 
one instance; against his own view. 



THE EIEST EPISTLE OE PETEE. 73 ' 

character. Let your apparel be suitable to your 
circumstance and station, and your personal appear- \ 
ance equally remote from frivolous decoration and 
slovenly neglect ; to outward 5 embellishment, which, I 

5 " Christian women," says Leighton, "should avoid undue 
expense in their dress ; it both argues and feeds the pride of 
the heart, and defrauds, if not others of their due, yet the poor 
of their charity, which in God's sight is a due debt too. And 
far more comfort shalt thou have on thy death-bed to remem- 
ber that, at such a time, instead of putting lace on my own 
clothes, I helped a naked back to a clothing ; I abated some of 
my superfluities to supply the poor with necessities ; far sweeter 
will this be than to remember that I could needlessly cast out 
many pounds to serve my pride, while I grudged a penny to | 
relieve the poor." 

" Lord, raise our hearts and wishes higher, 
Touch our souls with sacred fire ; 
Then with an elevated eye 
We'll pass these glittering trifles by." 

" No Christian woman will suffer the adorning of the body 
to be her chief business or her delight. She will not render 
herself accountable at the bar of judgment for the work of 
hours, days, weeks, months, a long life of years, which might, 
which ought to have been otherwise and more worthily em- 
ployed, in a way more becoming rational, responsible, immortal 
beings." — Brown. 



74 THE NEW TESTAMENT. 

like every thing connected with tbe mortal frame, 
must ere long perish, no undue solicitude will be 
devoted ; aught savouring of levity, ostentation, or 
imprudent expense you will wholly shun. Be yours, 
Christian matron, a nobler aim: — those spiritual 
ornaments which throughout eternity shall shine, 
that internal dress which beautifies the soul ! the 
cultivated mind, the pure and gentle spirit, the 
sympathizing yet unobtrusive benevolence, the pa- 
tient temper, bearing meekly provocation, and re- 
fraining from offering it. Thus conducting yourself, 
you will not fail in your blessed object ; the perma- 
nent affection of your husband will be secured, and, 
beyond all, the approbation of your God ! 

By such a course you will imitate the pious 
women of former days, whose examples are worthy 
of remembrance ; as, for instance, Sarah, the duti- 
ful spouse of the patriarch. Of the same family 
and rank as himself, she yet addressed him by a 
title of personal respect, in acknowledgment of the 
authority vested in him by the Most High ; and 
you shall be accounted her descendants, and heirs 
of her blessing, if you act with fidelity to God and 
to your husband, undeterred by present conse- 



THE EIKST EPISTLE OF PETEE. 



75 



quences from firm adherence to your duty and your 
principles 6 . 

6 In a former part of the volume I had to comment on the 
unsightly picture of a fretful, imperious, extravagant wife, as 
described by the pencil of inspiration. Here is presented a 
more pleasing office, in the words of the author just before 
quoted: " How beautiful the Christian woman who, amidst the 
endless perplexing details of domestic management, maintains 
an unruffled temper, and in patience possesses her soul ! It is a 
lovely pattern which Jay gives of a Christian wife, as one who 
can calmly remonstrate and meekly reprove ; who can yield and 
accommodate; who would rather endure than complain, and 
would rather suffer in secret than disturb others with her grief." 
The meek and quiet spirit, like faith, will be found to honour, 
and glory, and praise at the coming of Jesus Christ. In that 
day the man who for his genius, learning, or successful ambi- 
tion excited the wonder of nations, and whose praises were 
celebrated from age to age, but who never obtained, because he 
never sought, " the honour that cometh from above," shall be 
filled with shame, covered with contempt ; while the woman of 
a meek and quiet spirit, who in the retirement of lowly domes- 
tic life performed conscientiously the laborious duties, and sus- 
tained patiently the varied trials of her humble sphere, from 
regard to the authority of God, and under the constraining in- 
| fluence of the love of His Son, shall be " all glorious within," 
one whom the King of kings delights to honour, and to whom 
He will say, in the presence of assembled men and angels, 
" Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy 
of thy Lord." [And 



APPENDIX. 



Ok the course to be pursued by one of the parties 
when the other is uninfluenced by the Gospel, such 
wise and judicious advices are suggested by Pro- 
fessor Brown, that my readers will consider it not 
inappropriate to have them introduced at the end 
of this section. They are applicable to the case 
of either the husband or the wife who may be 
placed in such trying circumstances, though ad- 
dressed in the first instance to the wife. See 1 Cor. 
vii. 16. 

" A Christian woman may, without fault on her 

And again, to quote the pious archbishop : " Men think it j 
poor and mean to be weak. Nothing is more exposed to con- 
tempt than a spirit of meekness. It is mere folly with men ; : 
but that is no matter ; this overweighs all their disesteem ; ' it | 
is with God of great price.' And things are as He values them, j 
and no otherwise. Though it be not the county's fashion, yet ; 
it is the fashion at court ; yea, it is the king's own fashion. 
* Learn of me,' says He, ' for I am meek and lowly in heart ;' | 
and when He girds on His sword and rides prosperously, it is 
' for meekness and truth and righteousness.' " 



THE FIEST EPISTLE OF PETEB. 77 

part, find herself the wife of an unconverted man. 
It is a possible thing that she may have been de- 
ceived in her estimate of the character of him whom 
she has chosen for her companion through life ; the 
mask of religion having been assumed to serve a 
purpose, or, what is of much more frequent occur- 
rence, and to which the Apostle here in all proba- 
bility refers, both may have been in a state of 
unconversion when the marriage relation was 
formed; but a change in the wife having taken 
place subsequently, she under Divine influence 
having been led to embrace a vital Christianity, 
whilst her husband remained opposed to it, 6 dead 
in trespasses and sins, 5 she becoming a subject of 
Jesus Christ, while he continues a rebel. "What 
possibly would have prevented, what in ordinary 
circumstances ought to have prevented marriage, 
does not dissolve it. The Christian wife is not 
warranted to withdraw from her unconverted hus- 
band on that ground. She must continue with I 
him, and perform to him the duties of an affec- 
: tionate and respectful wife. She must be in sub- 
jection to her husband, probably more in subjection 
than ever; for her conversion will probably have 



78 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



greatly widened her view of conjugal duty and 
deepened her sense of its obligation. 

" The situation is a trying one ; and the Apostle 
proposes a very powerful and encouraging motive 
to a discharge of its difficult duties. He holds out 
the hope to the Christian wife of becoming the 
means of the salvation of her husband. He sup- 
poses a very bad case. He supposes that the hus- 
band has 6 not obeyed the Wokd,' has resisted its 
claims on his attention, faith, and obedience. The 
Christian wife has no doubt endeavoured to bring 
him within reach of the Christian preacher's voice ; 
it may be he refused to come ; or he came, but de- 
parted unimpressed, unbelieving, it may be scoffing 
and blaspheming. The Christian wife will use more 
private means to bring him under the influence of 
the "Wokd, by reading the Scriptures and other 
good books, if she can get him to listen to them ; I 
and by wisely and affectionately, with her own 
living voice, endeavouring to convey to him the 
saving truth. But all may be in vain ; so that all 
direct attempts to effect a change have to be aban- 
doned as likely to do mischief rather than good, 
hardening prejudice, provoking resistance. 



THE PIEST EPISTLE OP PETER. 79 

" Still the Christian wife must not despair ; espe- 
cially she must not be weary in the conscientious 
performance of her duties ; and the motive, the 
sweetly constraining motive, so full of power over 
the principles of the Christian and the affections of 
the wife, is, 'And what knowest thou, O woman, 
whether thou shalt save thy husband ? ' Even with- 
out the word, which he will not obey, he may be 
gained by thy chaste conversation, based on true 
Christian piety. It has been said justly, that i men 
who are prejudiced observe actions a great deal 
more than words.' The cheerful, affectionate, con- 
stant performance of all conjugal duties, especially 
when it is made quite plain that this is the result 
of Christian principle, is fitted to make impression 
even on unthinking and insensible men. The dif- 
ference for the better which conversion has made 
on the relative conduct of the wife almost neces- 
sarily leads the husband's mind to what has pro- 
duced it, and gives birth to the thought, £ that 
cannot be a bad thing which produces such good 
effects.' His prejudices are gradually weakened. 
By and by he, it may be voluntarily, commences 
to talk upon a subject on which formerly he had 



80 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



angrily forbidden all conversation, accompanying 
his wife to the Christian assembly, and ultimately 
listens to, believes, and obeys the word which he 
had formerly rejected. 6 A life of undissembled 
holiness and heavenliness and self-denial, and meek- 
ness and love, is a powerful sermon, which, if you 
be constantly preaching before those who are near 
you, will hardly miss of a good effect. Works are 
more palpably significant than words alone V This 
is the natural tendency of a quiet, cheerful, perse- 
vering performance of conjugal duty to unconverted 
husbands ; ' not only to the good and gentle, but 
also to the froward and by the accompanying 
blessing of the Holy Spirit this has not unfrequently 
been its blessed effect. 

" There is something very beautiful in the 
phraseology in which the conversion of the hus- 
band is described. He is said to be ' won.' He 
was lost — lost to true happiness ; lost, continuing 
in his present state, for eternity ; but when he is 
brought to the knowledge of the truth he is won ; 
gained — gained to himself, gained to the Saviour ; 



1 Baxter. 



THE FIRST EPISTLE OE PETER. 81 

■ added,' as Leighton says, ' to His treasury, who 
thought not His own precious blood too dear to lay 
out for thy gain.' 

" The motive here presented to a truly Christian 
woman is certainly a very cogent one. It has been 
finely brought out by a great living preacher. 
6 The salvation of a soul ! The salvation of a hus- 
band's soul ! 0, seek that you lose not him who 
is so dear to you, in the " valley of the shadow of 
death!" See that the parting at death be not a 
final parting. Let your friendship survive the 
desolation of time, and be renewed to infinite ad- 
vantage beyond the grave. To the tie that nothing 
but death can sever, seek to add one which defies 
even his power to cut asunder. Think, 0 Wiee, 
of the happiness that will attend the success of 
your endeavours ! What pleasure will attend the 
remainder of your days, now of one heart and 
mind. How sweet will be the counsel which you 
take together. How delightful to go to the house 
of God in company. How enlivening to add the 
our Father of the family altar to the my Father of 
the closet, which witnessed your wrestling with 
God, that he whom you loved may also be led to 

a 



82 THE NEW TESTAMENT. 

say my Patter. And what will be your joy and 
crown of rejoicing in that day, when, before assem- 
bled men and angels, he will say, " Blessed be the 
Providence which attached us in yonder world, and 
has still more united us in this." "The woman 
whom Thou gayest to be with me led me, not to 
the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but to the 
tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of 
God 2 !"'" 

O yet unseen by mortal sight, 

May in our souls that scene endure, 
That we, through hope of that delight, 

May purer grow as thou art pure. 
And when the day shall come, that we 

Shall know no more, as now, in part, 
May we unveil'd Thy presence see, 

Be like, and know Thee as Thou art ; 
And evermore with voice and heart 

Join concert with Thy heavenly host, 
And bear, in praising Thee, our part, 

Thee Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

Mantfs Ancient Hymns. 

2 Jay. 



SECTION IV. 



THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER — continued. 
Chap. iii. 7- 

The Apostle, in the passages which we have lately 
examined, having set forth the duty of a wife, and 
the powerful motives by which it is sanctioned, 
proceeds to show the important claims which she 
has upon her husband ; and these not the less 
sacred and obligatory from her rarely having means 
of enforcing them. 

Likewise, te husbands, dwell with them 
according to knowledge, giying honour 1 unto 

1 "As construed in our version," says Brown, "the reason 
given for honouring the wife seems a paradoxical one. It seems 
reasonable that the Christian husband should honour the Chris- 
tian wife, because she is equally with himself an ' heir of the 
grace of life ;' but it seems strange that her being the weaker 
vessel should be assigned as a reason why she should be 
honoured. That is a very good, a very persuasive reason to 
G 2 



the new testament. 



THE WIFE, AS UNTO THE WEAKER YESSEL, AND AS 
BEING HEIRS TOGETHER OF THE GRACE OF LIFE ; 
THAT TOUR PRATERS BE NOT HINDERED. 

sympathize with her, to help her, to be kind to her ; but it does 
not seem to have much cogency as a reason for honouring her. 
On looking into the text as it came from the Apostle's pen, 
there appears no trace of this apparent incongruity. The words 
translated 4 to the wife as the weaker vessel/ and which might 
with equal propriety be rendered 1 with the wife as with the 
weaker vessel/ immediately follow the words 1 dwell according 
to knowledge/ and precede, instead of following, as from our 
version we would naturally suppose, the words 1 giving honour.' 
These are plainly intended to qualify the first clause, just as 
the words 1 being heirs of the grace of life ' are intended to 
qualify the second. The wife being the weaker vessel is the 
reason why the husband should dwell with her according to 
knowledge, just as her being a fellow-heir of the grace of life is 
the reason why he should honour her." 

I have done justice to the foregoing criticism of the learned 
professor by thus quoting it in full, and thereby giving the 
reader opportunity of forming an opinion for himself; but I 
hold to the construction of the authorized version, as will be 
seen in my enlargement on the text ; and I am confirmed in 
doing so by looking since it was written into Trollope's digest, 
(Analecta Theologica). 

No less beautiful than just is the comment of Leighton: 
" This is that which most strongly binds all these duties on the 
hearts of husbands and wives, and most strongly indeed binds 



THE TIEST EPISTLE OE PETEE. 85 

The precept might be amplified on this wise: 
To you, husbands, I have also, as the inspired am- 

their hearts together, and makes them one. If each be recon- 
ciled unto God in Christ, and so an heir of life and one with 
God, then are they truly one in God with each other ; and that 
is the surest and sweetest union that can be. Natural love 
hath risen very high in some husbands and wives ; but the 
highest of it falls very far short of that which holds in God. 
Hearts concentrating in Him are most excellently one. That 
love which is cemented by youth and beauty, when these 
moulder and decay, as they soon do, fades too. That is some- 
what purer, and so more lasting, which holds in a natural or 
moral harmony of minds ; yet these likewise may alter and 
change by some great accident. But the most refined, the 
most spiritual, and most indissoluble, is that which is knit with 
the Highest and Purest Spirit. And the ignorance or dis- 
regard of this is the great cause of so much bitterness or so 
little sweetness in the life of married persons ; because God is 
left out ; because they meet not as one in Him. Loath will 
they be to despise one another who are both bought with the 
precious blood of one Redeemer, and loath to grieve one an- 
other. Being in Him brought into peace with God, they will 
entertain true peace between themselves, and not suffer any 
thing to disturb it. They have hope to meet one day where 
there is nothing but perfect concord and peace; they will 
therefore live as heirs of that life here, and make their present 
state as like to heaven as they can, and so a pledge and evidence 
of their title to that inheritance of peace which is there laid up 



86 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



bassador of Christ, a word of suitable admonition. 
Let your habitual intercourse with the wife be 
according to the higher knowledge supplied by the 
Gospel for guiding the conduct of married persons ; 
disclose uot her infirmities or despise her on ac- 
count of them ; it would be unfitting the position 
assigned you. In bodily frame feebler, in mental 
constitution more sensitive, she is less adapted for 
encountering the storms and roughnesses of life. 
Be it yours, for this very reason, to sustain, protect, 
and guide her ; treat her, therefore, with unchange- 
able constancy ; consult her wishes, delight in her 
society, afford her all respectful kindness, all gentle 

for them. And they will not fail to put one another often in 
mind of those hopes and that inheritance, and to advance and ! 
further each other towards it. Where this is not attended to, il 
is to little purpose to speak of other rules. Where neither party j 
aspires to this heirship, live they otherwise as they will, there 
is one common inheritance abiding them, one inheritance of 
everlasting flames ; and as they increase the sin and guiltiness 
of one another by their irreligious converse, so shall they have 
cause to curse the time of their coming together as a part of 
their exercise for ever. But happy those persons in any society 
of marriage or friendship, who converse so together here as 
those that shall live eternally together in glory." 



THE EIRST EPISTLE OE PETER. 87 

and affectionate usage. In her higher interests she 
is jour equal; as your divinely-given associate, a 
sharer not only in the comforts and privileges of 
the present life, but a copartner with you in the 
same gratuity of a heavenly one, a fellow-traveller 
in the journey towards it ; wherefore continually 
remind each other of these ennobling, animating 
hopes ; incite each other to holy vigilance, enliven 
each other's faith, kindle mutual devotion ; meekly 
counsel, exhort, and encourage each other onward ; 
as heirs together of the grace of life, fellow-expec- 
tants of immortal joys, suffer no indifference or! 
apathy regarding the " one thing- needetjl," but 
fully and unreservedly " pour out your hearts," 
sweetly conversing on the glorious prospect when 
your earthly course is over, of together dwelling in 
the "house eternal," the mansion purchased for 
you by that adorable Redeemer, "whom not- 
having seen, ye love ; and in whom, though now ye 
see Him not," yet, amidst all your present trials, 
perplexities, and troubles, and snares, believing, ye 
rejoice with joy unspeakable, full of present peace 
and of anticipated glory ! 

Above all, see that ye unite continually together 



88 



THE FEW TESTAMENT. 



in supplication for spiritual blessing and grace so to 
spend the period of your intimate sojourn here, that 
ye may be " accounted worthy to obtain that world," 
wherein though there is " no marrying or giving in 
marriage," yet shall there pass before you in bliss- 
ful review the memory of your former ties 2 ; similar 

2 " If those bonds," says one of our ablest popular writers, 
" which were broken at death are not restored again in the 
realms of life, death is not annihilated; one of its deepest 
wounds survives ; its heaviest blow is felt throughout the suc- 
cessive cycles of a futurity to come. But this cannot be. I 
look on the future as the restoration of scattered families, of 
suspended friendships, of broken circles ; the re-animation of 
departed images ; the apocalypse of faces we gazed upon below 
when channelled by floods of tears, there bright and radiant 
with joy, where tears are no more shed !" And after giving 
several instances from Scripture proving that the saints shall 
hereafter recognize each other, he observes on the account of 
the resurrection in 1 Thess. iv., and the Apostle's concluding 
direction, " Comfort one another with these words," — " The 
subject on which comfort is here required, as will be seen from 
the 13th verse, is the death or removal of beloved friends and 
relatives. The consolation specially announced is not the re- 
surrection, but the reunion of departed friends, and the resto- 
ration of suspended or interrupted intercourse. The Apostle j 
proceeds upon the supposition that the resurrection is an ad- 
mitted fact ; and shows that there will be superadded to that 



THE FIRST EPISTLE OE PETER. S9 

feelings of affection, purified from their earthly 
dross, shall possess your glorified spirits, and 
together shall ye be associated in pure and bliss- 
ful employments in the service of the Great 
King. 

But in order that your joint devotions be heard 
and accepted, bear carefully in mind to guard 
against discord or contention ; for this would grieve 
the Holy Spirit, damp the heavenward fervency, 
and unfit your souls for becoming mutually tuned 
together in prayer ; and is it not to this sweet con- 
cert of souls, to their harmonious union in the holy 

resurrection this special consolation, namely, the recognition of 
our risen Mends and relatives. Were some beloved relative, or 
child, or parent about to depart to a distant land, would it be 
sufficient comfort to tell you that you also would be carried 
there in due time, but to a different part of that beautiful land ; 
so that while you would be aware that your beloved ones were 
on its face, yet you could neither see nor hold communion with 
them ? This would be dispersion, not gathering . together. 
There would be no comfort in this. The real comfort would be 
the prospect of reunion ; and the summons not to sorrow, and 
the promise that you would be taken there, would all imply the ; 
restoration of the fellowship and the recognition of the persons 
of those you loved below." — Apocalyptic Sketches, by Rev. 
John Gumming. 



90 



THE 1S"EW TESTAMENT. 



exercise, that the gracious assurance of your Lord's 
special presence is afforded 3 ? 

" Come hither to me my own beloved, 

Come hither and kneel wi' me, 
The morn is fu' o' the presence of God, 

And I canna kneel without thee ! 
The Book maun be ta'en when the carle comes hame 

Wi' the holy psalmodie, 
And I will speak to thee of God, 

And thou shait speak wi' me ! " 

" There is something peculiarly affecting," says 
Dr. J ames, " in this tender appeal to affection as a 
motive for the mutual exercise of Christian graces 
in the regulation of their tempers and dispositions 
towards each other. Many an impetuous spirit, 
whom no consideration of self could move to re- 
strain anger and curb temper, bends the proud 
heart to forgiveness and gentleness and love, rather 
than risk failure of blessing to those for whose wel- 
fare in time and in eternity the soul has been 
bowed in prayer. So mercifully has He, who was 
touched with a feeling of our infirmities, provided 



3 Matt, xviii. 19. 



THE EIRST EPISTLE OE PETER. 91 

a remedy for them in the Scriptures, whereby His 
Spirit would thus enforce their correction ! "We 
can all doubtless feel that when parents implore 
the Divine goodness for themselves or on behalf of 
their children, it is impossible but the supplication 
must be sincere. It is equally impossible that 
sincerity should wilfully place any hindrance be- 
tween their prayer and its accomplishment. There- 
fore, though to subdue a feeling of anger, or con- 
tempt, or pride, be hard ; be like 6 cutting off a 
right hand or plucking out a right eye,' painful 
even to agony, yet what parents would not make 
such a sacrifice for the preservation of their child ? 
If this thought operate with salutary influence 
upon the mind amid the common events of life, 
with what added force does it act when any special 
danger threatens, any darker sorrow saddens ; when 
sickness, or perhaps absence, does but the more 
endear to each other hearts whom kindred love thus 
binds ? When, for instance, father and mother 
hang over the sick bed of their child ; when their 
hearts swell nigh to bursting, if they hope then that 
£ their prayers be not hindered,' let them exercise 
mutual forgiveness of each other's failings, and 



92 



THE TESTAMENT. 



exhibit that meek and quiet spirit which is declared 
to be in God's sight of great price. 

" The same reasoning is applicable, whatever be 
the immediate object of their prayers. Thus, is the 
husband employed in the turmoil of active life, 
exposed to its perplexities ? his temper assailed by 
injustice, oppression, or fraud, and often rendered 
unquiet at home by the scenes which have disturbed 
him abroad ? Let a gentle forbearance and defer- 
ence, as directed by Almighty Wisdom, be rendered 
unto him by the wife. JNTor will the Christian wife 
be backward thus to exercise that influence which, 
when blessed of heaven, tends to calm disquiet, 
soothe sorrow, and triumph over the world. The 
beneficial effects of such influence are intelligible 
upon the common principles of our nature. Next 
to the approbation of his own heart, the husband 
prizes that of one who has become his second self, 
and of which he cannot feel deprived without pain 
and disquiet. 

" So the weakness and tenderness of frame which 
renders the wife unequal to the more arduous 
bustle of life are assigned by God as the very rea- 
son why the husband should honour her. Her very 



THE EIEST EPISTLE OE PETEE. 93 

weakness is thus to be her strength. Indeed it is 
one of the many beautiful instances of a Divine 
wisdom ordering the constitution of our minds, 
that in proportion as any object of our affection 
requires especial care and attention, we are so far 
from wearying in our work and labour of love, that 
we are more and more cheerful in it. How else 
could the wife and mother, often of weak and tender 
bodily frame, tend with a patience unwearied the 
sick bed of husband and children ? "Where love is, 
labour is delight ; and where most care and affec- 
tion are needed, there the Christian rejoices to 
bestow it in its fullest measure." 

Jeremy Taylor's illustration of the effects of 
anger in hindering the success of prayer has been 
quoted frequently ; and yet is it of such admirable 
beauty, such unrivalled magnificence of imagery, 
and withal so appropriate to our present subject, 
that without it the Section would be incomplete 
and destitute of one of its best features : — 

" Anger sets the house on fire, and all the spirits 
are busy up in trouble, and intend propulsion, 
defence, displeasure, or revenge. It is a short mad- 
ness, and an eternal enemy to discourse and fair 



94 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



conversation ; it intends its own object with all 
the earnestness of perception or activity of design, 
and a quicker motion of a too warm and distem- 
pered blood. It is a fever in the heart, and a 
calenture in the head, and a fire in the face, and a 
sword in the hand, and a fury all over ; and there- 
fore can never suffer a man to be in a disposition to 
pray. For prayer is the peace of the Spirit, the 
stillness of our thoughts, the evenness of recollec- 
tion, the seat of meditation, the rest of our cares, 
and the calm of our tempest. Prayer is the issue 
of a quiet mind, of untroubled thoughts ; it is the 
daughter of charity and the sister of meekness ; and 
he that prays to God with an angry, that is, with 
a troubled and discomposed spirit, is like him that 
retires into a battle to meditate, and chooses a 
frontier garrison to be wise in. Anger is a perfect 
alienation of the mind from prayer, and therefore 
is contrary to that attention which presents our 
prayers in a direct line to GrOD. For so have I 
seen the lark rising from his bed of grass, and 
soaring upwards, and singing as he rises, and hopes 
to get to heaven, and rise above the clouds; but 
the poor bird was beaten back with the loud sigh- 



THE FIRST EPISTLE OE PETER. 95 

ings of an eastern wind, and his motion made irre- 
gular and inconsistent, descending more at every 
breath of the tempest than he could recover by the 
libration and frequent weighing of its wings, till 
the poor creature was forced to sit down and pant 
till the storm was over ; and then it made a pros- 
perous flight, and did rise and sing as if it had 
learned music and motion from an angel as he 
passed sometimes through the air about his minis- 
tries here below." 



SECTION V. 

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TITUS. 

Advancing onward through the inspired records 
in our search for notices of married life, we arrive 
at the letter written by St. Paul, not to a particular 
Church, but to his convert and fellow-labourer in 
proclaiming the message of salvation. Titus had 
been sent with episcopal authority to Crete, the 
inhabitants of which were addicted to immoral 
habits ; and accordingly, while referring man's sal- 
vation wholly to the free mercy of God through 
Christ, the Apostle urges this as laying us under 
the strongest obligation to holiness. 

In chapter ii. 4 we find these suggestions to Titus 
respecting the conduct of Christian wives and 
mothers : — 

That they teach the young women to be 
sober, to loye their husbands, to love their 



THE EPISTLE OE PAUL TO TITUS. 97 

CHILDREN, TO BE DISCREET, CHASTE, KEEPERS AT 
HOME, OBEDIENT TO THEIR OWN HUSBANDS, THAT 
THE WORD OE GOD BE NOT BLASPHEMED. 

Here are specified various particulars of nuptial 
and maternal duty. Let us comment briefly on 
the import of the several expressions. 

To be sober: This, in common acceptation, means 
moderation in use of fermented liquors ; and of the 
grievous family miseries resulting from intempe- 
rance how little conception can be formed! But 
the term has likewise a further and more elevated 
signification : it is opposed to the giddiness, the 
absence of due reflection, which looks not beyond 
the present moment ; it implies the cautious exa- 
mination of the tendency and consequences of any 
words or action, the wise vigilance which is con- 
trary to frivolity, vanity, and time-consuming tri- 
fling, the holy calmness and pleasing cheerfulness 
which arises from the "mind being stayed upon 
God." (Isa. xxvi. 3.) 

The "discretion," prudence, sound judgment, 
next recommended, is akin to the sobriety of mind 
last mentioned. Such qualities in a wife have 
already been described, " the heart of her 

H 



9S 



THE ]S T EW TESTAMENT. 



husband doth safely trust in her 1 ." (Prov. 
xxxi.) 

The injunction in a former Epistle was to rever- 
ence and submit to the husband ; here every thing 
is summed up in the word loye. " All happiness 
in the marriage relation is based on mutual love ; 
when that departs happiness departs. No wealth 
or splendour in the dwelling, no gorgeousness of 
equipage or apparel, no magnificence of entertain- 
ment, or sweetness of music, and no forms of cour- 
tesy and politeness, can be a compensation for the 
want of affection. Mutual love between a husband 
and wife will diffuse comfort through the humblest j 
cottage of poverty ; the want of it cannot be sup- j 
plied by all that is furnished in the palaces of the 
great." 

To loye theib, CHILDBED. Heathen parents 
used to destroy their offspring by exposing them 
to perish 2 , or even with their own hands cast them 
into fire to appease an idol deity. It is the blessed 
object of our holy faith to revive those sweet sym- 

1 See Part i. sec. iii. 

2 Ps. cvi. 37, 38. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 6. The practice continues 
to the present day in China. 



THE EPISTLE OE PAUL TO TITUS. 99 

pathies of natural affection which had been weak- 
ened or annulled by sin, and to raise them to a 
higher and nobler object. Those Christians on 
whom have been bestowed that " heritage and gift 
which cometh of the Lord " are to loye their 
children, not with injudicious fondness, unre- 
straining by timely correction and reproof the evil 
passions and tempers which so early appear, but 
with true Christian kindness, reasonably mindful 
of their temporal interests ; but chiefly, and as the 
grand aim, labouring by precept and example to 
implant such holy principles and habits as, through 
redeeming mercy, may prove the means of their joy 
throughout the boundless ages of eternity. 

" O think that unto thee a trust is given 
To train that loved one for the bliss of heaven ; 
That from the moment of that creature's birth 
Thou art to him God's delegate on earth ; 
Yea, more ; thou art his priestess, and thy shrine 
Is an immortal soul : — perform thy task divine." 

This is affectingly urged by a living writer 3 : 
" How are Christian parents bound to watch over 



3 Slade. 
H 2 



100 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



the offspring they so tenderly love ! "Watch they 
do with continual anxiety for all that minister to 
their comfort and advancement in life ; they rejoice 
in the joy of their children, and weep when their 
children weep. But oh! how infinitely more im- 
portant the provision for eternity! Earthly ties 
will soon be broken ; how important to provide for 
a happy renewal of intercourse and love hereafter ! 
Parting now, to meet no more, were enough to 
break the heart ; but the bright prospect of a re- 
union in paradise consoles and reconciles, forbidding 
us to ' sorrow as those who have no hope.' See 
then, ye Christian parents, to the nurture and 
training of the olive branches round your table ; 
bestow upon their spiritual well-being an especial 
and exceeding care: that ye may behold them 
6 flourishing in the courts of the house of the Lord 
above,' that whether ye be taken from them or 
they from you, there may be comfort in the part- 
ing." 

Chaste. Not merely an avoiding of gross 
offences, but perfect purity of mind and heart. 
" There is a boldness of look, a levity of speech, a 
freedom of manners, a forwardness of behaviour, a 



THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TITUS. 101 

challenging, obtrusive, advancing air unbecoming 
the decorum which should mark the character of 
Christian females. Their behaviour should be such 
as to awe the licentious and keep them at a dis- 
tance ; and their language must be free from foolish 
talking and jesting, which is not suitable to them." 
Diffidence, the blushing of reserve, retiring mo- 
desty, the sensation arising from the union of inno- 
cence and danger, the prudence which keeps far 
from the limits of permission, the instructive vigi- 
lance which discerns danger afar off, the caution 
which never allows the enemy to approach ; all this, 
which the virtuous matron understands far better 
than any man can describe to her 4 , is included in 
the term we are considering. 

Brief as is this Epistle, how fully, notwithstand- 
ing, does it describe the qualities which become 
the Christian wife ! She is to be good and a 

KEEPER AT HOME ; and OBEDIENT TO HER OWN 
HUSBAND. 

The first expression is of extensive signification, 
comprising all those admirable properties and. dis- 

4 Brown, Jay. 



102 



THE KEW TESTAMENT. 



positions which in the various relations of wife, 
mother, and sister render a female blessed; as 
bountiful, kind, full of gentle pity and mercy. By 
requiring her to be a "keeper at home," it is not 
as a prohibition from ever going abroad, but an 
inculcating of attention to domestic duties : home 
is to be the centre around which her influence re- 
volves. Our old English word "housewife" ex- 
presses this. Not " wandering about from house to 
house," as the same Apostle in another place 5 admo- 
nishes, frittering away time in unprofitable kinds 
of visits, trifling, idle talk, and indelicate prying 
into the secrets of others. 

And what reason is assigned by the sacred writer 
for such holy and circumspect demeanour in the 
Christian wife, such heedful regard to the duties of 
her own sphere and dwelling ? This most weighty 
one : that God's honour might not be injured by 
the inconsistent conduct of His professed followers; 
that the worldly, the profane, the unbeliever, might 
not have cause to speak reproachfully of the religion 
of Jesus. " Religion is the patron of the domestic 



5 ] Tim. v. 13. 



THE EPISTLE OE PAUL TO TITTJS. 103 

virtues ; it regards the appropriate duties in a 
family as intimately connected with its own pro- 
gress in the world. It looks benignly on all which 
makes home a place of contentment, intelligence, 
and peace. It does not flourish where domestic 
duties are neglected. Whatever may be done 
abroad ; whatever self-denial and zeal in the cause 
of religion be evinced there ; whatever call there 
may be for the labour of Christians there, or how 
much good soever may be actually done abroad, 
religion lias gained nothing on the whole, if, in 
order to secure these things, the duties of a wife 
and mother at home have been disregarded. Our 
first duty is at home, and all other duties will be 
well performed just in proportion as that is attended 
to 6 ." 

There is a passage in a previous part of the 
Epistle which probably, in a work like the present, 
should not be passed by without remark. It occurs 
in chapter i. 6 (and also in the corresponding Epis- 
tle to Timothy), where amongst the qualifications 
of a Christian pastor is stated " the husband oe 



6 Barnes. 



104 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



one wiee." It has given rise to various conflicting 
opinions from the early days of the Church ; some 
asserting that a Clergyman must be a married man, 
others that he must not marry a second wife after 
the death of the first. The former notion is mani- 
festly erroneous ; and that the latter is so likewise 
may be reasonably inferred from the permission 
given a widow to marry a second husband. The 
true view is that of a divine who explains it, " one 
that is not tainted with the common blemish of 
polygamy; that is, of having more wives at once 
than one, or, after an unjust repudiation of one 
wife, marrying another." Again, it has been ob- 
served more at large, " Polygamy had been per- 
mitted to the Jews, and was practised by the 
Eastern nations with indifference. It was therefore 
to be corrected mildly and gradually, by example 
rather than by express precept. And seeing every 
reformation must begin somewhere, it was fit to 
begin with the ministers of religion, that through 
the influence of their example the evil might be 
remedied by disuse, without occasioning those 
domestic troubles and causeless divorces which 
necessarily must have ensued, if, by an express 



THE EPISTLE OE PAUL TO TITUS. 105 

injunction of the Apostles, husbands, immediately 
on their becoming Christians, had been obliged to 
put away all their wives except one. Accordingly 
the example of the clergy, and of such of the 
brethren as were not married at their conversion, 
or who were married to only one woman, had in 
the fourth century effectually rooted out polygamy 
from the Church 7 ." 

In an able publication before alluded to on the 
Life and Epistles of St. Paul, the subject is noticed 
in this manner : " From the facility of divorce 
allowed by the Greek and Koman law, it was very 
common for man and wife to separate, and marry 
other parties during the life of one another. Thus 
a man might have three or four wives, or rather, 
women who had all successively been his wives. 
An example of the operation of a similar code is 
unhappily to be found in our own colony of Mau- 
ritius : there the French Revolutionary law of 
divorce has been suffered by the English constitu- 

* 1 Cor. vii. 39. 

Bp. Hall and Macknight in Bible of the Society for Pro- 
moting Christian Knowledge, with notes by D'Oyly and 
Mant. 



106 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



tion to remain unrepealed ; and it is not uncommon 
to meet in society three or four women who all 
have been the wives of the same man, and three or 
four men who have been the husbands of the same 
woman. 

" We believe it is this kind of successive poly- 
gamy, rather than simultaneous polygamy, which is 
spoken of as a disqualification for the presbyterate." 

Another writer, in his notes on this Epistle 8 , 
shrewdly observes of the expression we are con- 
sidering, " it is here implied that it was proper that 
a minister should be married: if it was not, why 
did not Paul prohibit it ? Instead of saying that 
it was improper that a bishop should have more 
than one wife, why did he not say that it was 
improper that he should be married at all ? Would 
not a Eomanist say so now ? " 



8 Albert Barnes. 



SECTION VI. 

THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 

Corinth 1 , the great commercial mart of Europe 
and Asia, was celebrated no less for its magnificence 
and wealth than for the learning and refinement of 
its citizens ; and, it mnst be added, the sad de- 
pravity of their morals. Irregularities soon arose 
in the Christian Church there, which gave rise to 
this valuable portion of the inspired writings. 
Amongst several subjects upon which the Apostle's 
decision has been wished for, one was that of mar- 
riage, and so far as can be gathered, the principal 
points of inquiry were these : 

1 Not a vestige remains of its ancient grandeur. We learn 
in " Stephens' Incidents of Travel 99 that having been repeatedly- 
sacked and plundered during the last revolutionary war, the 
ruins of Turkish mosques and Christian churches are now lying 
mingled together in indescribable confusion. 



108 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



Whether it was proper to enter into the married 
state ? 

If it was advisable to continue in that state, ex- 
posed as was the Church to persecution ; and if 
one of a married pair became a Christian, should 
the converted partner separate from the other in 
consequence ? 

And lastly, which under present circumstances 
was most advisable for Christian maidens, a single 
or a married life ? 

In chapter vii. he discusses these questions with 
a delicacy of expression and piety of design which 
shows the purity of his mind, and how much it was 
filled with reverential awe. A brief summary will 
suffice for our present purpose : 

For sake of chastity and of escape from evils 
which otherwise might arise marriage should be 
entered into. The sacredness of the obligation ; 
the unlawfulness of polygamy and divorce 2 ; the 

2 There is here an apparent reference to the words of our- 
Lord (Matt. xix. 4. Mark x.), where marriage is brought 
back to its original institution " He made them a male and a 
female." It was a compact between a single pair, and for life ; 
and Jesus authoritatively proclaims that in future divorce was 



EIBST EPISTLE TO THE COBINTHIAFS. 109 



married not to disoblige, or to withdraw from, each 
other, unless by mutual consent, for stricter atten- 
tion to devotion, and even then but for a brief 
space. Difference in religious views must not 
cause separation, for the Christian partner, inas- 
much as marriage is a holy ordinance, sanctifies 
the unbelieving one, and the children are not 
merely legitimate, but admissible to baptism ; still 
further, there is a possibility of the unbeliever being 
brought by the instrumentality of the other to the 
knowledge of salvation. In the prospect of impend- 
ing persecution it is advisable to keep free of any 
ties which might endanger faithfulness to Christ, 

not in the power of either party, unless for a particular offence 
committed after marriage, in which case the guilty person must 
not re-marry. The Apostles, upon this withdrawal of former 
permissions, thought it was most conducive to happiness not to 
marry at all ; but He disapproves of their reasoning, and pro- 
ceeds to point out that there is no holiness in living unmarried, 
nor on the other hand any compulsion to marry, but that each 
person, as judgment and feelings dictated, was free to act. Some, 
either from natural temperament, calamity, or a desire to serve 
the cause of religion, might live single, but that ability to do so 
was a special gift from on high, and that whatever course the 
Apostles might choose for themselves, no restriction was to be 
placed on others. 



110 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



and make the performance of duty a difficult task ; 
and in circumstances like these " the Apostle would 
be understood as permitting marriage rather than 
commanding it 3 ." 

His language has by some been strained in order 
to make a single life holier than a married one ; 
and yet so far from this being so, he implies con- 
clusively that we should beware of falling into sin 
through affectation of stricter holiness. Let us 
compare this chapter with other portions of his 
writings, and his sentiments will be indisputably 
manifest ; for instance, in this same Epistle he 
asserts his own right, on ministerial expeditions, to 
the society of a Christian wife 4 , as much as any 
other Apostle who was so accompanied. To the 
Hebrews he distinctly announces, and that without 
any qualification or restriction, that marriage is 
honourable in all persons 5 . Again, if we examine 
his first Epistle to Timothy 6 , we find him concluding 

3 Abp. Sumner. 

4 Chap. ix. The Rhemish version, in order to escape the con- 
sequences, translates this " a sister, a woman." What! would 
the Apostle in his sacred occupation have conveyed about with 
him a female to whom he was not married ? 

5 Heb. xiv. 14. 6 1 Tim. iii. 



ITEST EPISTLE TO THE COEINTHIANS. Ill 

that in general the clergy will be married men, 
so he appoints that snch shall be limited to one 
wife ; and farther on 7 is the case of young widows ; 
they are not to get aid from the common fund, or 
to have superintendence of youthful Christians of 
their own sex (alluding to arrangements required 
in the infant Church from the virtual seclusion of 
females customary in the East) ; for becoming idle 
and impatient of restraint, they would re-marry, 
and thereby evince neglect of their office and want 
of faith, — a course bringing scandal on the Christian 
society ; but considered abstractedly, was it wrong 
for them to marry again ? far otherwise ; for the 
Apostle counsels them so to do, and to be occupied 
in domestic duties. Lastly, I shall remind you of 
the prophetic announcement 8 so accurately verified 
in our times respecting false teachers in the latter 

7 1 Tim. v. 11—15. 

8 1 Tim. iv. 1 — 3. See Trollope's Analecta and Barnes in 
loco. The remarks of the latter are appropriate : " They will de- 
part from the faith through the teaching of those who forbid 
marriage. This does not necessarily mean that they would pro- 
hibit marriage altogether, but that it would be a characteristic of 
their teaching that marriage should be forbidden, whether of 
one class of persons or many. They would commend and enjoin 



112 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



days of the Christian dispensation, one of whose 
leading characteristics would be their "forbidding 
marriage," a passage which refers with overwhelm- 
ing force to the Church of Home ; for the apostacy 
was to arise under the tyranny of a conscience- 
cauterized ministry, deluding men by false legends 
and miracles, and enforcing doctrines which they 
knew to be contrary to God's written word. 

One passage, however, occurs in the writings of 
another Apostle, which has been supposed to favour 
a single life, and has given pain to many sensitive 
minds ; it must therefore not be passed over with- 

celibacy and virginity. They would regard such a state for certain 
persons as more holy than the married condition, and would con- 
sider it as so holy that they would absolutely prohibit those 
who wished to be most holy from entering into the relation. 
The tenth article of the decree of the Council of Trent shows 
the view of the papacy i * Whosoever shall say that the married 
state is to be preferred to a state of virginity or celibacy, and 
that it is not better and more blessed to remain in virginity and 
celibacy than to be joined in marriage, let him be accursed V " 

I may add the reason assigned for this policy by Father 
Paul the historian of the Council : " It is plain that married 
priests will turn their affection to their families, and by con- 
sequence to their home and country, so that the strict depend- 
ence of the clergy upon the Apostolic see would cease." 



FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 113 

out notice : I mean Rev. xiv. 4, where, in setting 
forth the distinguishing qualities of those who are 
to share in the heavenly strains of triumph, it is 
said "these are they which were not defiled with 
women, for they are virgins." To remove the 
erroneous inference from this expression, and the 
uncomfortable feelings founded thereon, it might 
suffice to say that most of our learned and pious 
theologians refer it to Idol- worship, which through- 
out the Holy Scriptures is styled, in a spiritual 
sense, fornication. For my own part, however, I 
lean to the opinion of those who take the words in 
their plain and literal signification ; and understand 
thereby that these representatives of the redeemed 
had kept themselves from impurity, from polluted 
intercourse of every kind, and were chaste, pure, 
and holy. The passage has no reference whatever 
to Married Life, which, so far from being a defile- 
ment, is, as we have seen, expressly declared to be 

HONOURABLE IN ALL. 

But to return to the particular portion which at 
the first we were considering : 

1 Cor. vii. 17. The Gospel disturbs not the 
existing relations of society, but sanctifies and en- 



114 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



courages the discharge of the duties arising out of 
them. In these troublous times the man who, in 
the absence of any wish on her part, or of any con- 
tract or engagement, gave not in marriage his 
maiden daughter or ward, did well ; and yet if by 
acting in such manner he interfered with her per- 
sonal wishes, he might without impropriety consent 
to her union. The married state, like all earthly 
comforts, was accompanied with trouble in outward 
circumstances, with solicitude and anxiety, espe- 
cially in a period of persecution ; and the Apostle 
would have a believer in Jesus to be " without care- 
fulness ;" free from the perplexity most likely to 
arise from having a partner not of like mind, for 
then would a rival affection and a rival interest 
come into conflict, causing it more difficult to 
" please the Lord." 

These counsels he offers to the Christians at 
Corinth for their benefit and consolation. He 
would that every one was as free from disquietude, 
as able to exercise self-control, when circumstances 
demanded it, as was himself ; not that he would 
" cast a snare upon them," but only impart profit- 
able and seasonable advice. He desired not to 



FIKST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 115 

restrict them in any manner of life which might 
seem for their happiness, or prescribe absolutely 
any rule which might be the means of leading them 
into sin. 

Having thus given an epitome of his wise and 
judicious counsels on these delicate and important 
matters, his admonition will form a suitable con- 
clusion to this portion of my volume. It directs 
the believer not to be unduly affected by passing 
events, and to perform, whilst there be opportunity 
allowed, his present duties. 

But this I sat, brethren, the time is 

SHORT : IT REMAINETH, THAT BOTH THEY THAT 
HAVE WIYES BE AS THOUGH THEY HAD NONE; 
AND THEY THAT WEEP, AS THOUGH THEY WEPT 
NOT ; AND THEY THAT REJOICE, AS THOUGH THEY 
REJOICED NOT ; AND THEY THAT BUY, AS THOUGH 
THEY POSSESSED NOT ; AND THEY THAT USE THIS 
WORLD, AS NOT ABUSING IT: EOR THE FASHION 
OF THIS WORLD PASSETH AWAY. 

The time is reduced within narrow limits by per- 
secution at present impending; but in any case 
soon will it silently pass away and be swallowed up 
in eternity. Eevolving therefore in thought how 
i 2 



116 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



speedily the present life is hastening to a close 9 , 
how soon shall be severed the most endearing ties 
of earth, the Christian should ever retain the feel- 
ing of a stranger and pilgrim here ; not set his 
affections too earnestly on the comforts of any 
relation, allow attachments of this lower world to 
interfere with duty to God, or to occupy that prin- 
cipal place in the heart which of right belongs to 
Him alone; be ensnared with idolatrous love of 
any created thing, or permit its loss to weaken his 
faith and holy confidence in the Unchangeable ; 
for the whole form and fashion of this world is 
going by as a gilded pageant, and ere long will 
vanish like a delusive vision ! Our temporal trials, 
our temporal indulgences, will shortly be past, — our 
day of probation, our opportunity of usefulness 
over ; and the manner in which we have fulfilled 
our duty, as in our other relations, so also in our 
married life, should we have engaged in it, shall be 
the subject of a full and public scrutiny; let us 
then, with the Divine aid, be diligent in preparing 
ourselves for the real and everlasting scenes of the 

9 See Part i. sect. iv. for the admonition of the sage monarch 
1000 years before. 



FIEST EPISTLE TO THE COBTFTHIAKS. 117 

existence which is rapidly approaching, in obtaining 
a growing fitness for associating with that holy 
company, who, having washed their robes and puri- 
fied them in the blood of the Lamb, are before the 
throne of God, and are unceasingly occupied in 
His service. 

" Haste thee on from grace to glory 

Arm'd by Faith, and wing'd by prayer, 
Heaven's eternal day's before thee, 

God's own hand will guide thee there." 

" It were greatly wise," says an useful female 
writer, " to keep in view the allusion which gave a 
pensive tone to the expression of your exulting joy, 
when, in the solemnity of the nuptial union, you 
said, ' Till death us do part.' To do so, not to cast 
a gloom over your daily intercourse, but to regu- 
late your daily conduct, so that no action or word 
or feeling shall be encouraged which would add 
bitterness to the sorrows of the parting hour : and 
to remind you of the paramount importance of being, 
each of you, living in holy and habitual preparation 
for that solemn exchange of worlds ; so that each, 
whichever may first hear the summons ' the Master 
is come and calleth for thee,' may be ready to 



118 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



reply, 6 Amen, even so come Lord Jesus and 
that the survivor may have no anxious misgivings 
as to the safety of the departed spirit, no apprehen- 
sion of an eternal separation, but may be cheered 
and soothed by the well-grounded confidence that 
the saint who earliest sleeps in Jesus, and the later 
sojourner upon earth, will soon meet again, as 
spirits of the just made perfect, to be for ever with 
each other and with the Lord. This blissful anti- 
cipation can be cherished only by those who, as 
perishing sinners, have fled for refuge to the hope 
set before them in the Gospel, and who experience 
the Holy Spirit's influence on their souls, working 
an abhorrence of sin, a desire after holiness, and a 
constant progress in meetness for the inheritance 
of the saints in light." 

The child long lost, the wife bereaved, 
Back to our widow'd arms received, 
And all the joys which death did sever, 
Given to us again for ever ! 
O Lamb of God, by sorrow proved, 
The friend of man, the Christ beloved ; 
To Thee this sweetest hope we owe 
Which warms our shivering hearts below ! 

KirJce White. 



^mjtta Unfe nf 'Mnxmi life. 



PART III. 



for flje fotnt $ttbate Sebottons of 
^usbanti an* ffiBltfe. 

Let our souls 

mingle in one strain 

Of deep, full thanksgiving, for God's rich boon, 
Our perfect lore ! . . . . Kneel, true wife, 
And lav thine hands in mine. 

We thank Thee, gracious Lord, 
For all its tender memories, tender cares, 
Fond words, bright, bright sustaining looks unchanged 
Through tears and joy. O Father, most of all 
We thank Thee, we bless Thee, for the blissful hope 
Through Thy redeeming Son, of union in Thy sight, 
And in Thy heavens immortal. — Hear our prayer ! 

Hermans. 



To ivhich are appended 

Ctoo Intercessors Jforms on tiefjalf of a ISelattbe at 
t$e £eat of SBar. 



TO THE CHRISTIAN HUSBAND AND WIFE. 



Haytkg perused the foregoing notices of Married 
Life, you will be capable of appreciating the clear 
and concise manner in which the truths of Holy 
Scripture on the subject are summed up in your 
Book of Common Prayer. Thus, in the opening 
address of the marriage service, you observe the 
several particulars which prove the special honour 
of the relationship in which you are united. It 
was instituted by God Himself, for He joined to- 
gether the first wedded pair and blessed them : it 
is of sublime import, being an earthly representa- 
tion of the mysterious union between Christ and 
the Church: and further, when this gracious Re- 
deemer assumed our nature, He sanctified the oc- 
I casion of the marriage feast by the performance of 
a most significant 1 miracle, thereby giving testi- 

1 It would be beside my purpose to do more than refer you 
to Archbishop Whately's Sermon. 



122 TO THE CHEISTIA1S" 

mony to the purity of this most intimate of earthly 
ties, which His Apostle has declared to be honour- 
able in all men. 

Next follows the warning that a connexion so 
responsible and important should not be approached 
with inconsiderate levity, and irregular desires, but 
with devout seriousness, and entreaty for heavenly 
guidance. 

The Divine purposes in the hallowed ordinance 
are then stated: the raising up a legitimate off- 
spring to be trained in the faith and fear of the 
Lord 2 ; the subjugation of the heart and passions 

2 Mai. ii. 14, 15. " She is thy companion and the wife of 
thy covenant. And did not He make one ? Yet had He the 
residue of the Spirit. And wherefore one ? That He might 
seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let 
none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth." In 
other words, The Lord breathed into man's nostrils the breath 
of life, and He possessing the life-giving power inexhaustibly, 
could have created many women for this one man had He 
judged right ; but He limited to one with the design that a 
godly posterity should be trained up by joint care of both 
parents, living together in undivided affection, and uniting 
their prayers, examples, and instructions for that purpose. The 
prophet then proceeds to show that polygamy and divorce were 



HUSBAND AND WIFE. 



123 



under chaste and sanctified control, and the mutual 
aid and comfort which two persons thus united 
might receive from each other. 

How sweetly endearing is the bond as spoken of 
by the Apostles! "Husbands," says St. Paul, "loye 

YOUR WIYES, EYEN AS CHRIST ALSO LOYED THE 

Church. And St. Peter, "Being heirs toge- 
ther OE THE GRACE OE LIEE." 

Upon this last passage the spiritually-minded 
Leighton observes : " These heirs, if they be alone, 
they pray alone ; and if heirs together and living 

together, they pray together And it is not 

enough that they pray when with the family, but 
even husband and wife by themselves." 

How delightful the interchange of Christian 
sympathy arising from a habit of this kind is men- 
tioned in Philip Henry's Life, by his son, the pious 
commentator : " He and his wife prayed constantly 
together, .... and from his own experience of 
the benefit of the practice, he would recommend it 
to those in that relation, as conducing to the com- 
fort of it, and to their furtherance in helping one 

alike irreconcileable with this hallowed object, and a deviation 
from the original institution of marriage. 



124 TO THE CHRISTIAN 

another on the way to heaven. This sanctifies the 
relation, and fetcheth a blessing upon it ; makes 
the comfort of it the more sweet, and the crosses of 
it the more easy, and is an excellent means of pre- 
serving and increasing love." 

Testimony of a like nature from others could 
readily be produced 3 , and in earlier times the Re- 
formers made it a special object to enforce upon 
the attention of married persons how " they must 
crave continually of God the help of His Spirit so 
to rule their hearts and knit their minds together 
that they be not dissevered by any discord 4 ." 

Within the last few years the practice has been 
urged by esteemed ministers in the metropolis and 
other places ; and yet, so far as I can learn, there do 
not exist any forms 5 for the joint devotion in pri- 
vate of the married pair; I have therefore at- 
tempted some helps for their use in this way : my 

3 As Bickersteth, Burkitt, Charles of Bala, T. Scott, Hugh 
White, Bishop Daniel Wilson, &c. 

4 Homily of the State of Matrimony. 

5 A tract appeared not many years ago with forms : but very 
meagre, and approaching to the errors of those described by the 
Archbishop of Canterbury, as " sitting in the Reformer's seat, 
traducing the' cause of the Reformation.' 9 



HUSBAND A1SD WIFE. 



125 



own thoughts were drawn to the subject by an 
incident in my parochial ministrations which I 
shall here relate. 

A lady was stricken by a serious illness, eventu- 
ally terminating in death. I found her alone upon 
one occasion, when she spoke of the anguish expe- 
rienced by her husband at the prospect of their 
approaching separation. Knowing them to be at- 
tentive to the outward ordinances, I observed, 
" you should pray with each other in private ; it 
will prove the source of comfort and support." 
"With affecting pathos she replied, "Ah, dear Sir, 

w r e were not brought up to do so ; Mr. would 

not understand it." The circumstances, deeply 
solemn as they were, failed to the last in over- 
coming the obstacles interposed by natural reluc- 
tance and shrinking timidity ; the absence of any 
forms specially suitable for their joint devotion was 
a further impediment : and they were parted, — not 
without expectation of a future meeting, — but there 
wanted the firm conviction, the spirit-cheering con- 
fidence, the "full assurance of Paith, the peace 
of God," which would have been shed abroad upon 
their agonized hearts in that time of need, had 



126 TO THE CHRISTIAN 

they been familiarized, in the nnreservedness of 
private spiritual communion, to waft together their 
necessities and sorrows towards the heavenly mercy- 
seat, through the mediation of their sympathizing 
High Priest. 

As the practice should not interfere with, but be 
accessory to prayer with family and servants, the 
helps here furnished you are designedly brief, nor 
are there in them any petitions referring to the 
Church's seasons, or to incidental occurrences. Be- 
specting these latter I know full well that times 
arise when the exuberance of joy and thankfulness, 
or the intensity of mental distress, cannot be con- 
veyed in words, when the soul can hold only silent 
converse with her G-od, and the upheaving breast, 
and the " groanings which cannot be uttered," 
afford the only manifestations of the feelings which 
rend or elevate the heart within ; and yet if the 
habit of united private worship be once established 
in all the unreservedness of your intimate relation- 
ship, the spirit of pious affection, unembarrassed 
by the restraints which attend public extempora- 
neous prayer, will suggest expressions in some 
measure suitable to the particular exigence. 



HUSBAND AND W1EE. 



127 



Husband and wipe ! suffer me, with affectionate 
persuasion, to impress upon you the benefits of 
thus praying together ; you are bound by a close 
and indissoluble tie of God's own appointment; 
you are one in His sight ; your interests are inse- 
parable ; you commune intimately with each other 
about the things of Time, why not also upon those 
of Eternity ? why shrink from returning thanks 
together for abounding mercies ; entreating a con- 
tinuance of them, and together deploring your oft 
broken resolves and repeated failures ? Fully am 
I aware that all the feelings of the soul in con- 
fession, aspiration, and petition, cannot be ex- 
pressed in the presence of any fellow-mortal, how- 
ever dear : still, the more you learn of the holiness 
of God, and of your own insufficiency, the more 
humbly you in concert bewail your infirmities and 
omissions, and the greater earnestness with which 
you plead together for the graces of mutual for- 
bearance and kindness, the stronger will be your 
firmness in resisting those sins which you are thus 
unitedly wonted to confess in the presence of the 
Searcher of hearts. 

To do this, may at first seem irksome, but cus- 



128 TO THE CHKISTLAJS" 

torn will effect a remedy ; pride and false shame will 
vanish ; and, kneeling together before the throne of 
grace, yon will insensibly become attached by still 
closer and holier ties : yon will be strengthened to 
feel and to act more consistently, helping one another 
as fellow-travellers along the rugged path of life, 
and your hearts will become more powerfully drawn 
towards your Covenant- God as the source and 
centre of your happiness, looking forward with 
humble confidence, through the merits of your Re- 
deemer, to a renewal of godly intercourse & in the 
heavenly courts, where prayer shall cease, and 
praise shall have her perfect work. 

" 0 Saviour, Thou that makest marriages in 
heaven, Thou blessest them from heaven. 0 Thou, 
"Who hast betrothed us to Thyself in truth and 
righteousness, do Thou consummate that happy 
marriage of ours in the highest heavens 7 ! " 

6 See Prayer X., note. 

7 Bishop Hall, Contemplations. 

Jeremy Taylor with his usual eloquence writes, " That when 
the work of my life is done, I may rest in the bosom of my 
Lord, till by the voice of the archangel, the trump of God, I be 
called to sit down and feast at the marriage Supper of the 
Lamb." 



HUSBAND AND WIPE. 



129 



May these notices and devotional helps conduce 
to your joy in the day of Christ's appearing : may 
the sublime blessing invoked at your union be 
realized abundantly : — 

" God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy 
Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord 
mercifully with His favour look upon you ; and so 
fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, 
that ye may so live together in this life, that in 
the world to come ye may have life everlasting! " 
Amen. 



Sweet Edith, let us call on Him, 

Let us kneel down as we have knelt so oft. 

O look on us, 
Father above ! in tender mercy look 
On us Thy children. 
Save, or we perish ! 

The English Martyrs in time of Queen 
Mary. — Hemans. 



"THE MATEIMONIAL CEOWN." 



By Daniel Rogers, B.D. 
a.d. 1650. 

During the progress of my volume I had little 
expectation of meeting with so efficient an ally as 
is presented in this old quaint author. After urging 
the benefit of family worship, he proceeds to private 
joint worship, and gives counsels concerning it with 
a vigorous and pious earnestness surpassing not 
only my own feeble power of advocacy, as also that 
of any arguments which I have met with elsewhere. 

" Be mutual in all religious duties, ordinances, and 
service of God ; this will strengthen the wheels of 
marriage life, whose spokes would otherwise be 
split and cracked. Live not strangers to God, for 
so shall you never be inward with each other ; your 
life shall be spent in a shadow and vanity, yea, 
and vexation of spirit ; and at your death you 

SHALL SAY THAT YOU NEVER KNEW ONE ANOTHER 

truly. • For setness of hours or oftness of duty, I 



THE MATBIH01NTAL CEOWN. 131 

leave it to your own experience, who should best 
know one another's wants, or at least your own, to 
draw you to it. It is not meet families be made 
privy to the privacy of their governors ; it is the 
way to make them despised. It is best referring 
them to your own seasons. Let this be the chief 
pearl of the marriage crown : search out ail thy 
corruptions ; make a register of all favours of God, 
which God hath granted to thee and thy wife in 
common : such as at the time of receiving seemed 
most precious, and might least of all be spared : 
mark how the Lord hath gone before thee and or- 
dered thy conversation ; consider together how hap- 
pily, and yet how hardly, ye met in marriage ; what 
sound love and covenant the Lord bred at first in 
you ; how they have since held firm ; consider how 
your hearts are drawn out daily to each other, and 
your unquiet spirits calmed, so that you look not 
upon each other with the eyes of serpents, but of 
doves. 

" Observe how sabbaths and sacraments are 
blessed ; how your faith and peace grow, your fears 
decay, your corruptions purged ; what dangers in 
body, state, children, you avoid, and what sorrows 
k 2 



132 THE MATRIMONIAL CROWN. 

which cumber others, you are free from ; what suc- 
cess in your children's tractableness and toward- 
ness, what faithfulness and subjection in your ser- 
vants ; what new blessings are fallen upon you in 
persons, names, employments, posterity : mark 
well where Satan insulteth and where the hedge is 
lowest with you ; what corruptions, as old sores, 
break out in their seasons, which yet seemed 
quashed before : what lusts of the heart, lust of the 
eye or pride of life, bubble up from within. Look 
not each into him or herself only, but also each 
into other as having interest deeply planted ; yet 
do it not with curiosity, but simplicity; by this 

MEANS BOTH ABUNDANT MATTER, AS OIL TO THE 
LAMP, WILL OTTER ITSELE TO NOURISH THE OR- 
DINANCE ; all rust of sloth, rust of ease, all weari- 
ness will be filed off. And a free heart will make 
God the umpire of your differences (as a root of 
bitterness within will less or more break out), the 
composer of your hearts, the granter of your re- 
quests, and the gracer of your marriage. 

"And fear not that this course should in time 
weary you, or alienation, each from other, should 
grow to distaste this duty : eor the Lord who 



THE MATRIMONIAL CROWN. 133 
HATH EOTJNDED IT WILL OWN IT AND BLESS IT, 

and the sweet fruit of this service will so prevent, 
attend, and follow you, that you shall feel yourselves 
to walk before God less loosely, more soundly and 
safely. For why ? How can it otherwise be, when 
both of you remember to whom you use to go, — in 
confession, in which you shame yourselves for all 
your failings ; and in your requests, craving pardon 
and progress ; and when you have done well, to 
praise Him for His support, and to be thankful for 
that administration and protection of His, under 
which, as His beloved, you have been all the day 
long. 

" Go then to God more jointly than ever ; hold 
and pull more hard and close together as oft as 
you go to the throne of grace, especially when (as 
with the good Jacob) you are resolved not to cease 
wrestling till you be blessed ; compel Him to send 
you away with your request ; go by a promise in 
your Advocate, and say, ' Lord, this new state of 
ours requireth new manners, new self-denial, new 
faith, new life, a double portion of grace.' 

" Separate not yourselves in these duties, but say, 
' Come, let us prat together, confess, gtve 



134 THE MATRIMONIAL CROWN. 

THANKS. I AM AS THOU ART; MT THOUGHTS, 
MY AEEECTIONS, GOODS, MEMBERS, AS THINE.' 

By this means love shall so grow that it may out- 
grow all distempers. You shall say of each other, 
6 1 never thought my wife had the tithe of that 
grace in her heart, or that my husband had half 
that humbleness, compassion, faith, which I now 
perceive. Those infirmities which I see in him, in 
her, which would for ever have estranged some and 
caused distaste, need so much the more love in my 
soul, sympathy, and mercy.' 

" Thus from this well-spring of joint worship shall 
flow streams of honey and butter (as Job speaks) 
unto all the life ; especially when crosses and straits 
shall befall you, then shall God be nearest oe 

ALL TO YOU, AND BE AEELICTED WITH YOU ; because 

you have made Him the GrOD of your mountains, 
He will be the God of your valleys also, when 
others, who have never thus traded with Him, shall 
be sent to their idols to shift for themselves." 



SECTION I. 

HELPS FOR JOINT PRIVATE DEVOTION OF 
HUSBAND AND WIFE. 

A sentence of Holy Scripture is prefixed to each 
form as a means of solemnizing the mind, and, by 
the aid of the Holy Spirit, preparing it for the suc- 
ceeding employment : may you, dear wedded pair, 
be filled with such grateful love and holy hope, that 
access to your heavenly Father shall be regarded as 
a joyful privilege ; and whilst the natural, uncon- 
verted heart looks upon prayer as a repulsive task, 
may you, as redeemed sinners and beloved children, 
approach the mercy-seat, pleading the wondrous 
promise, " Open thy mouth wide and I shall fill it." 
" Apply to me, and I will satisfy your utmost de- 
sires ; the more full and comprehensive your peti- 
tion, the more abundantly shall you receive from 
my All- sufficiency." Ask then what is for your 
real happiness 1 ; ask in believing expectation of 

1 See Address to the Christian husband and wife, p. 126, last 
sentence. 



136 HELPS FOR JOINT PEIYATE DEVOTION 

success ; ask in the name of Jesus ; persevere in 
humble, yet urgent, entreaty ; " knock " at the 
door of divine mercy, and " it shall be opened unto 
you." " Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord 
of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of 
heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there 

SHALL NOT BE ROOM ENOUGH TO RECEIVE IT 2 !" 

Let your souls, 
Snatched by the spirit's power from their cells 

Of fleshly thraldom 

boldly spring 

Up to the porch of heaven. 



I. 

Psalm cxxvii. \. 

" Except the Lord build the house, 
They labour in vain that build it." 

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, 
And lighten with celestial fire. 
Thou the anointing Spirit art, 
Who dost Thy seven-fold gifts impart. 



2 Mai. iii. 10. 



OP HUSBAND AND "WIFE. 



137 



Thy blessed Unction from above, 
Is comfort, life, and fire of love. 
Keep far our foes, give peace at home : 
Where Thou art Guide, no ill can come. 

Teach us to know the Father, Son, 
And Thee of both, to be but One. 
That, through the ages all along, 
This may be our endless song ; 

Praise to Thy eternal merit, 
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 3 . 

Let us pray. 

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, Maker of all things, J udge of all men ; 
we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins 
and wickedness, which we, from time to time, 
most grievously have committed, by thought, 
word, and deed, against Thy Divine Majesty, 
provoking most justly Thy wrath and indigna- 
tion against us. We do earnestly repent, and 
are heartily sorry for these our misdoings ; the 
remembrance is grievous unto us ; the burden 

3 Ordering of Priests and Bishops. 



138 HELPS EOR JOINT PEIYATE DEVOTION 

of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, 
have mercy upon us, most merciful Father : for 
Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive 
us all that is past ; and grant that we may ever 
hereafter serve and please Thee in newness of 
life, to the honour and glory of Thy Name ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen \ 

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be 
Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be 
done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day 
our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive them that trespass against us. 
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver 
us from evil : for Thine is the kingdom, and the 
power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of 
Jacob, bless us Thy servants, and sow the seed 
of eternal life in our hearts ; that whatsoever 
in Thy holy Word we shall profitably learn, we 
may in deed fulfil the same. Look down, 0 

4 'Confession in the Communion Service. 



OE HUSBAND AND WIPE. 139 

Lord, mercifully upon us, and bless us : as 
Thou didst send Thy blessing upon Abraham 
and Sarah, to their great comfort, so vouchsafe 
to send Thy blessing upon us Thy servants ; 
that we obeying Thy will, and always being in 
safety under Thy protection, may abide in Thy 
love unto our lives' end, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

0 Lord, save Thy servant and Thine hand- 
maid, 

Who put their trust in Thee. 

Send us help from above, 

And evermore mightily defend us. 

Help us, 0 God our Saviour ; 

And for the glory of Thy Name be merciful 

to us sinners for Thy Name's sake. 
0 Lord, hear our prayer, 
And let our cry come unto Thee. 

0 Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of 
all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the 
Author of everlasting life, send Thy blessing 
upon us Thy servants ; that as Isaac and Re- 



140 HELPS FOE JOINT PEIVATE DEVOTION 

bekah lived faithfully together, so we may surely 
keep the vow and covenant betwixt us made, 
that this man may love his wife according to 
Thy word (as Christ did love His spouse the 
Church, who gave Himself for it, loving and 
cherishing it as His own flesh), and also that 
this woman may be loving and amiable, faithful 
and obedient unto her husband; and in all 
quietness, sobriety, and peace, a follower of 
holy and godly matrons. 0 Lord, bless us 
both, and grant us to inherit thy everlasting 
kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



II. 

Mark xi. 24. 

" Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when 
ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have 
them. ,, 

To cherish tender love for each other we have 
solemnly pledged our vows in Thy sight, 0 Lord : 



OF HUSBAND AND WIFE. 141 

may we set Thee alway before us as the Blesser 
and Re warder of duty, if practised; the Avenger 
of guilt, if that duty be neglected. We acknow- 
ledge that without Thy special grace we cannot 
walk before Thee as we ought ; grant us then, 
we beseech Thee, that we may live together, 
not merely in earthly, but in heavenly love, 
exercising a sacred influence over each other, 
and having an undivided affection of heart and 
interest, a perfect harmony of soul. Keep from 
us all coldness, secrets, or jealousy, or any thing 
that would diminish our mutual attachment; 
and when angry temper or difference arises, may 
each strive to be foremost in sacrificing it on 
the altar of our common love. May we, like 
the blessed family of Bethany, have the pre- 
sence of Jesus amongst us ; may He love (each 
one of our children) each member of our house- 
hold ; and may love to Him influence every 
heart, inducing an union of object, an unselfish- 
ness of purpose, and an entire consistency of 
character. 

All-gracious Lord, Reconciled Father in 



142 HELPS FOE JOINT PEIYATE DEVOTION 

Jesus ! may we, by precept and example, help 
each other on the way to eternal life ; that the 
tie of holy love in which Thou hast bound us 
here may be perpetuated in Thy courts above ; 
that we may be dear intimate friends in heaven ; 
yea, Lord, if it be not contrary to Thy own all- 
wise designs, grant that in the new and immor- 
tal existence which awaits us, we may be near 
each other, and see and enjoy each other's 
blessedness ! 

These blessings we implore through Jesus 
Christ, and in faith in His all-prevailing media- 
tion. Amen. 

May the grace of Christ our Saviour, 

And the Father's boundless love, 
With the Holy Spirit's favour, 

Rest upon us from above. 
Thus may we abide in union 

With each other and the Lord, 
And possess in sweet communion 

Joys this earth cannot afford ! 



Or HUSBAND AND AVTFE. 



143 



III. 

Ezra ix. 6. 

" O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to 
Thee, my God : for our iniquities are increased over our 
head, and our trespass is gone up unto the heavens." 

Psalm xxxii. 5, 6. 

" I said, I will confess my trangressions unto the Lord, 
And so Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. 
For this shall every one that is godly pray unto Thee 
In a time when Thou mayest be feared. " 

We come into Thy presence, 0 Lord, to ac- 
knowledge that we are not worthy of the least 
of Thy mercies, and that we have often dis- 
honoured Thee and grieved each other by fail- 
ing in the duties of that relation to which Thou 
hast called us. 0 give us grace, we pray Thee, 
to discharge them for the future with greater 
diligence and meekness : enable us to manifest 
such Christian graces and conduct, that by the 
influence of our holy example, no less than by 
our godly precepts, we may induce all connected 



144 HELPS FOB JOINT PBIVATE DEVOTION 

with us to seek an interest in Christ Jesus. 
Preserve us, 0 Lord, from putting a stumbling- 
block in their way by any inconsistency. May 
we pursue our worldly calling, and seek for 
earthly things in perfect submission to Thy 
will ; resign ourselves and all that is ours, in 
faith, to Thy wise disposal. May we be de- 
fended from all anxious care, knowing that 
Thou, in Thy rich mercy, wilt give us grace and 
glory, and wilt withhold no good thing from us. 
May we be carried safely through all the trials 
and troubles of this fleeting scene, leaning daily 
more closely on the Saviour ; and may we, as a 
family, no one being lost or missing, inherit 
Thy eternal kingdom. 

0 Lord, hear ! 0 Lord, forgive ! 0 Lord, 
hearken and do : for Thine own sake, and for 
the merits of Thy dear Son. Amen. 



OE HUSBAND AND WIFE. 145 

IV. 

Matt. vii. 7> 8. 

" Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; 
knock, and it shall be opened unto you : for every one that 
asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him 
that knocketh it shall be opened." 

0 Thou, who at the first didst provide an help 
meet for man ; who hast hallowed the married 
state by declaring it a figure of the union of 
Christ and the Church, behold us now before 
Thee, imploring Thy blessing, that we may per- 
form with fidelity and affection the several 
duties which we owe to each other. 

May our mutual love be ardent, holy, and 
enduring; a a love which many waters cannot 
quench which shall prompt us to labour in 
all kindness and patience to promote not only 
the temporal, but chiefly the spiritual well-being 
of each other. In our various domestic cares 
enable us to comfort and exhort each other, 
and to maintain order and discipline in our 

l 



146 HELPS FOR JOINT PRIVATE DEVOTION 

household. Thou blessest the habitation of the 
righteous, 0 bless Thou ours ! In it may the 
voice of prayer and praise be continually lifted 
up, and the light of holy example shown. If 
it please Thee, prosper our plans and under- 
takings, "our basket and our store," but above 
all, bless us with Thy choicest spiritual mercies 
in Christ Jesus. May both our happiness and 
our holiness be greatly promoted by our union ; 
dwelling as " heirs together of the grace of 
life," soothing each other's sorrows, helping 
each other's joys. In submission to Thy wise 
disposal, we would ask Thee to permit us to 
spend many happy years together here ; but 
whatsoever Thou hast appointed, may we cleave 
to Thee with full purpose of heart, grow in Thy 
favour, be guided by Thy counsel, and rejoice in 
Thee as our portion for ever. We ask in faith 
and in the name of Jesus. Amen. 



03? HUSBAND AND "WIFE. 



147 



V. 

John xv. 7« 

" If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask 
what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." 

Thou, 0 gracious God, hast united us that we 
might dwell in love and promote the salvation 
of each other. We pray Thee that by the power 
of Thy Spirit, the principle of holiness may be 
established within us, and that we may be 
watchful both in temper and conduct, to main- 
tain the purity required of us as the servants of 
Jesus Christ. We have entered together upon 
the cares and trials of life ; may we cast all our 
care upon Thee : and, whilst attending to the 
duties of the world, may we be preserved from 
its spirit, from being drawn astray by any of 
its maxims, or feelings, or dispositions, and be 
enabled to keep before us that " the fashion of 
this world passeth away." 

Help us to banish sin and vanity from our 
dwelling, and to promote piety and virtue. Con- 
l 2 



148 HELPS FOE JOINT PRIVATE DEVOTION 



trol all we do, or say, or think, that no bitter- 
ness, or wrath, or evil temper may have place 
among us, but that we may live in godly love 
and harmony. 0 may we and those who are so 
dear to us be the objects of Thy care and par- 
takers of Thy heavenly kingdom ! Supply all 
our need according to the riches of Thy love in 
Jesus : may all Thy dispensations be blessed 
to us : unite us to each other and to Thyself, 
and thus fit us to dwell together in Thy glorious 
presence, and to join the company of Thy 
Saints in their eternal ascription of praise to 
Him who hath redeemed us by His blood ! 
Amen. 



VI. 



Nehem. i. 11. 



" O Lord, I beseech Thee, let now Thine ear be attentive to 
the prayer of Thy servants, who desire to fear Thy name." 

0 Almighty Lord ! sovereign Disposer of all 
things and of all persons ! Thou hast been 



OP HTJSBAKD AND WIFE. 149 

pleased to join us in the sacred bonds of mar- 
riage : sanctify it to us that we may act in this, 
and in all circumstances of our life, as becomes 
the servants of the holy Jesus. Grant us a 
meek and gentle spirit, a spirit not readily pro- 
voked, nor prompt to retain unkind resent- 
ments ; that we may love each other with sin- 
cere affection, and be faithful and conscientious 
in discharge of our solemn vows and obligations; 
the wife cheerfully yielding to the husband, and 
complying with his just and reasonable wishes; 
the husband treating the wife with honour, pru- 
dence, and tenderness. May all our actions be 
regulated by purity and holiness, equity and 
sober-mindedness, having ever before us the 
strict account that we must give. 0 let us not 
be conformed to the ungodly customs of the 
world, or waste our time or possessions in un- 
profitable amusements, much less in sinful plea- 
sures ; but inspire us with earnest desire, both 
in our recreations and employments, to please 
Thee, that in every thing, so far as the action 
is capable of it, we strive to set forth Thy 



150 HELPS FOR JOINT PEIYATE DEVOTION 

glory ! Remove from us all strife, and anger, 
and discontent, and let true Christian love and 
peace abide in our hearts ; make us bright ex- 
amples of holy and blameless conduct. May 
we bear with each other's infirmities, and so 
diligently perform our duties in every respect, 
that when Thou shalt see fit to separate us 
from each other here, the Holy Spirit the Com- 
forter may support and cheer us with the as- 
surance of an eternal reunion, through the merits 
of Jesus Christ our only Saviour. Amen. 



VII. 

2 Chron. xv. 2. 

" The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him ; and if ye seek 
Him, He will be found of you ; but if ye forsake Him, He 
will forsake you." 

Beloved heavenly Father ! We humbly im- 
plore Thy blessing that we may faithfully per- 
form our mutual vows, and live in a holy and 



OE HUSBAND AND WIPE. 



151 



Christian manner according to Thy laws. En- 
able us by thy Holy Spirit to bear with each 
other's infirmities, and to love each other with 
pure, fervent affection, next in degree to that 
which is due to Thee. Grant us, if it be Thy 
will, health of body and soundness of under- 
standing, and ability to promote the joy and to 
alleviate the sorrows of each other. We are 
about to enter upon the occupations, the duties, 
and the snares of the day ; Lord, we dedicate 
ourselves to Thee ; direct us in all our ways ; 
prosper the work we take in hand ; pour upon 
us the riches of Thy grace, that this our inti- 
mate and dear relationship may serve abund- 
antly to our own happiness and comfort, as also 
to that of all connected with us ; but, above 
all, may it tend to our fitness for a blessed im- 
mortality with Thee through the atonement of 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 



152 HELPS EOR JOINT PRIVATE DEVOTION 



VIII. 

2 Chron. xv. 12. 

<e And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of 
their fathers with all their heart and all their soul." 

Give us grace, 0 Lord, to offer up together 
daily our supplications to Thy Divine Majesty. 
We ask Thy blessing in the name of Jesus; 
enable us to obtain it in the upright discharge 
of our duties. Make us whom Thou hast set 
over this household, to rule it with godly wis- 
dom ; here. Lord, may Thy name be continually 
honoured, and the light of holy example shown. 
May we, in Thy strength, resist firmly the 
ungodly customs of this evil world, that neither 
vice or even idle and trifling habits be admitted ; 
may this our dwelling be a nursery of piety, and 
those dependent on us receive such instruction 
that when they enter upon lhVs trials and 
temptations, they may not depart from Thy 
holy laws, but be preserved in safety to the 
eternal bliss of Thy glorious Presence. May 



Or HUSBAND AND WIFE. 



153 



we be so influenced by Christian unity and love, 
as to gladly share each other's burdens, and 
exercise forbearance to each other's weaknesses. 
May Thy Holy Spirit teach us to follow holi- 
ness and peace, and so to serve Thee now that 
we may obtain thy heavenly promises, even 
those mansions purchased for His people by 
the merits and satisfaction of the Eedeemer. 
Amen. 



IX. 

Psalm v. 2. 

" Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God : 
for unto Thee will I pray." 

Thou, 0 Lord, hast of thy fatherly goodness 
united us together in marriage, that we may live 
therein as Thou hast appointed us. Sensible of 
our corrupt nature and of our spiritual wants, 
we fly to Thy footstool for righteousness and 
strength ; may an unction from the Holy Spirit 
direct us to ask aright ! Grant that we may 



154 HELPS FOB JOINT PEIVATE DEVOTION 

walk worthy of our vocation, helping one another 
in the study and practice of Thy holy Word, 
mutually yielding to each other, and dwelling 
in such unity as is suitable in those who have 
become one flesh. Let us not delight in out- 
ward honours or adornments, or in any of the 
vain pleasures of this world, but may we act as 
befits a sober-minded Christian pair, looking 
diligently that no wickedness, no indifference to 
religion, have place in our habitation, but that 
all things be ordered according to Thy holy 
will, and be hallowed by Thy blessing. What- 
ever opportunities Thou mayest afford us, give 
us grace and courage and wisdom to improve 
them to Thy glory, so that by us, and by all 
pertaining to us, Thou mayest receive due praise 
and exaltation ! 

Hear, 0 Lord, and let these our services be 
acceptable in Thy sight, for the sake of J esus 
Christ. Amen. 



OF HUSBAND AND WIFE. 155 

X. 

Jer. xxix. 11 — 13. 

" I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, 
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected 
end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray 
unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, 
and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your 
heart." 

0 Lord God Almighty ! Thou knowest that 
as husband and wife we have pledged our truth 
to each other, have taken upon us sacred obliga- 
tions, and entered into the most endearing of 
earthly relationships ; for this and all Thy mer- 
cies to us Thy unworthy creatures we praise 
and magnify Thy glorious name ; and we pray 
Thee to bestow on us abundantly Thy grace, 
that we may fulfil our respective duties. Knit 
our hearts together closer day by day, that we 
may sympathize w r ith each other in the joys and 
sorrows of life, fellow-citizens of the same eter- 
nal inheritance. Holy Spirit ! Convincer of 
sin, Sanctifier of the soul ! shed abroad in our 



156 HELPS FOR JOINT PEIYATE DEVOTION 



hearts the love of Jesus ; make us, as Zacharias 
and Elisabeth, " righteous before Thee, walking 
in all Thy commandments and ordinances 
blameless;" so passing the time of our sojourn- 
ing here on earth as to be fitted for a blessed 
eternity in that perfect state of being, wherein, 
though there is no marrying or giving in mar- 
riage, yet the godly intercourse interrupted by 
death shall be renewed and purified and exalted. 

Hear, Lord, and answer us, not for our merits, 
but according to the multitude of Thine own 
mercies in Christ Jesus. Amen 1 . 

1 " God having accomplished the number of the elect, and the 
servants of God experiencing no diminution of their number, 
' for there shall be no more death/ the institution of marriage 
shall cease with its necessity ; but the endearing ties of rela- 
tionship which have arisen from it, forming part of that heaven- 
born charity which never faileth, shall in a purer and holier 
state of being unite us in closer bonds with each other and with 
God." — James, Christian Watchfulness, 



03? HUSBAND AND AVIPE. 



157 



XL 

Matt. vii. 1 1 . 

" If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto 
your children, how much more shall your Father which is 
in heaven give good things to them that ask Him ? " 

0 Lord, we Thy servants are united in the 
dearest and most intimate of earthly ties ; enable 
us in Thy strength to conduct ourselves so as 
to be approved by Thee. We are by nature 
weak, 0 give us Thy Holy Spirit, that " the 
life which we now live in the flesh may be by 
faith in Thy Son, who loved us and gave Him- 
self for us !" We have lost original righteous- 
ness ; 0 give us the righteousness that is in 
Him, that we may walk together acceptably 
before Thee ! Let no unhallowed notions, un- 
sanctified tempers, or evil habits be fostered in 
us, but let our bodies be the servants of our 
souls, and let both be wholly Thine. Bless, we 
pray Thee, our (family and) household ; may 
they each individually receive the grace they 



158 HELPS TOR JOINT PRIVATE DEVOTION 



need ; may our earthly be a type of the heavenly 
home — of the peace and love that reign amongst 
Thy saints on high. Strengthen us for trials, if 
trials be appointed us ; deliver us from tempta- 
tions, direct us in difficulties, shield us in dan- 
ger, and enable us daily to feel deeper gratitude 
and love to Thee. 0 guide us by Thy counsel ; 
leave us not to ourselves for a moment ! May 
we perform every duty ; bear in faith every dis- 
pensation ; pass through this wilderness of care 
leaning upon the gracious and sympathizing 
Redeemer, and, on account of His meritorious 
sacrifice, be admitted to dwell together in Thy 
everlasting joy ! Amen. 

XII. 

James i. 5, 6. 

" If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth 
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be 
given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." 

We unite, O Lord ! in seeking Thy blessing. 
May these, our prayers inspire us with a calm 



OF HUSBAND AKD WIPE. 



159 



and holy influence, producing deadness to the 
love of this world, and conformity in all things 
to the example of Jesus Christ. 0 make Thou 
our marriage full of spiritual comfort and benefit, 
and let enlarged views of the union of Jesus 
with His people, of His favour and sympathy, 
be unfolded to our minds ! Change our evil 
nature, that we may live together not only free 
from strife, but live in the exercise of every 
Christian affection^ mutually helping each other 
on the path to heaven. O glorious and exalted 
Saviour, who hast bought us with Thy blood, 
may our time, our talents, all our faculties, be 
employed in Thy service ; may we diligently 
take our part in every labour of love which 
Thou hast set forth in our day ; and whilst our 
hands are occupied with the business of this 
life, may our thoughts be musing, our hearts be 
fixed, upon Thy second coming, as the centre of 
all our prospects, plans, and wishes ; and when, 
dear Lord, the solemn hour of separation from 
each other arrives, and our hearts within us are 
desolate, 0 do Thou illumine the dark valley, 



160 HELPS FOB JOINT PRIVATE DEVOTION 

rendering it a passage to heavenly joy ; cheer 
us with the prospect (sure to Thy faithful fol- 
lowers) of reunion in Thine own Presence, when 
there shall be no more sin, or death, or sorrow, 
or parting, and where Thy redeemed ones shall 
dwell in glory everlastingly ! 

Hear us, not according to our deserving, but 
for the sake of J esus, of Thy own finished work. 
Amen. 

XIII. 

James iv. 6 — 8. 

" God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and 
he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw 
nigh to you." 

0 Lord, who hast joined us in the nearest of 
all relations, give us grace, we intreat Thee, to 
conduct ourselves in this and every state so as 
to be approved by Thee. May the husband 
cherish the wife as his own flesh, treat her not 
with bitter or unkind usage, but comply with 



Or HUSBAND AND WIEE. 



161 



her reasonable wishes, and give her all honour 
and tenderness ; may she have comfort with 
him, and never grieve that she has forsaken for 
him her former ties of kindred. May she cheer- 
fully yield to him in all things which are not 
opposed to Thy will, and prove by speech and 
actions her fervent love and respect. 0 give 
her a meek and quiet spirit, discreet and modest, 
attentive to her sphere of duty, a follower of 
holy and godly matrons. O link us both in 
faithfulness to Thee as well as to one another ; 
and as we are one flesh, so make us of one heart 
and of one soul. Sanctify our domestic joys and 
sorrows ; and let our union be cemented by an 
earnest striving for the spiritual welfare of each 
other, that so when it be Thy will to sever us 
here, we may meet, rejoicing together, in those 
blessed mansions where all who lived in holy 
love on earth shall enjoy eternal communion 
with Thee and with each other, through the 
multitude of Thy mercies in Christ Jesus. 
Amen. 



M 



162 HELPS FOB JOINT PRIVATE DEVOTION 

XIV. 

1 Kings viii. 28. 

6( Have Thou respect unto the prayer of Thy servant, and to 
his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry 
and to the prayer which Thy servant prayeth before Thee 
to day." 

Merciful God and Father, who in the begin- 
ning didst ordain marriage for the mutual com- 
fort and help of us Thy sinful creatures, we 
thank Thee for Thy goodness in uniting us 
together in the close and tender bonds of hus- 
band and wife. Assist us, we beseech Thee, to 
live together as fellow-heirs of the grace of life. 
0 may we love each other according to that 
divine pattern set before us in Thy Word, the 
husband loving the wife as Christ loved the 
Church, and the wife being subject in every 
thing to her husband, as the Church is subject 
to Christ ! Help us in all things to seek each 
other's best good, and daily to watch over each 
other for our mutual edification and growth in 



OF HUSBAKD AND WIFE. 163 

grace. Suffer neither of us to be a hindrance 
to the other in the way of life ; may we each 
always be mutually helpful to the other's soul's 
welfare. Give us grace to fulfil all our family 
duties, so that our whole household may be 
brought up in Thy faith and fear. We desire 
wisdom and grace of Thee, that we may dwell 
together in knowledge, in tender and constant 
love, bearing each other's infirmities, strength- 
ening each other's graces, delighting in each 
other's society, and attaining all that full blessed- 
ness which Thou in the riches of Thy love didst 
purpose for us. [Help us especially to train up 
our children in the way they should go, com- 
manding them to keep the way of the Lord, 
continually instructing them in Thy truth. Let 
Thy mighty grace not only assist us in teaching, 
but so prosper our efforts that the seed sown 
may have an abundant increase, and all our 
children may be blessed themselves, rise up and 
call us blessed, and be an increasing means of 
good to all around them.] Make us also a full 
blessing to all dependent upon us. Grant that 
m 2 



164 HELPS FOE JOINT PRIVATE DEVOTION 

our household may ever be ordered according 
to the Gospel of Christ, and His name may in 
all things be glorified by us and all connected 
with us. Hear us, for the Redeemer's sake ! 
Amen 5 . 

XV. 

In affluent Circumstances. — 1 Chron. xxix. 14. 
Jer. ix. 23, 24. 

" Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the 
mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in 
his riches : but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he 
understandeth and knoweth Me." 

Psalm lxii. 10. 
" If riches increase, set not your heart upon them." 

Lord J esus ! Thou hast condescended to be 
represented in the persons of the poor. Let us, 
remembering ourselves to be Thy stewards, be 

5 Having met with this form in the late Mr. Bicker steth's 
works, just as my volume was coming to a close, I insert it 
here. 



0E HUSBAKD AND WIEE. 



165 



rich in good works, ready to distribute to those 
who are in want, " stretching out our hands" 
cheerfully to the needy. Grant us an humble 
mind, and let us not trust in uncertain riches, 
but in Thee who givest so richly to enjoy Thy 
bounty, diligently seeking in Thy strength to 
become fitted for the heavenly bliss purchased 
by Thy atoning sacrifice. Amen. 



XVI. 

Luke xvi. 9. 

" Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteous- 
ness." 

Prov. xix. 17- 

" He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord ; and 
that which he hath given will He pay him again 6 ." 

Bounteous Source of all good things ! let not 
the abundance with which Thou hast entrusted 

6 Sir Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England, affirmed 
" there was more rhetoric, more persuasive argument in this 
short sentence than in a whole library." 



166 HELPS FOB JOINT PEITATE DEVOTION 

us be a snare to the soul, choke Thy grace, or 
damp our zeal in Thy service. Dispose us to 
spend it not in vain and selfish pleasures, but in 
the setting forth Thy glory. Let us not be 
proud of our worldly possessions, but count all 
things refuse so that we may win Christ, and 
bring forth works of righteousness as the fruit 
of faith in Him. Clothe us with humility; make 
us earnest in offices of love, rightly using the 
perishable and deceitful mammon, and thus 
seeking for glory and immortality, that when 
our heart and flesh fail we may be accounted 
worthy of those riches which are Thy munificent 
gift in Christ Jesus. Amen. 



OE HUSBAND AND WIPE. 



167 



XVII. 

Perplexity of Worldly Affairs. — Matt. x. 30. Ps. Ivii. 7- 

Hab. iii. 17, 18. 

" Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be 
in the vines ; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields 
shall yield no meat ; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, 
and there shall be no herd in the stalls : yet I will rejoice in 
the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." 

Is a. xxxviii. 14. 
" Lord, I am oppressed ; undertake for me." 

Thou hast in Thy tender mercy, 0 Lord, per- 
mitted us now many years to dwell with each 
other in the dear and attached circumstances of 
married life; for this and for all the privileges 
and the blessings which Thou hast vouchsafed 
us we magnify Thy holy name. Pardon, for 
thy dear Son's sake, the numerous instances in 
which we have not fulfilled as we ought our 
respective duties according to Thy written word. 
0 Thou who canst do above what we can ask 
or think, give us grace to aid each other in 
working out our salvation ; make us more spi- 



168 HELPS FOR JOIKT PKIVATE DEVOTION 

ritually-minded, honouring Thee in all events. 
If, Lord, it is not presumptuous, and that Thou 
the All-wise seest it not injurious to us, or that 
it be not contrary to Thy will, we would now 
supplicate Thee to permit us many holy years 
together on earth, increasing in spiritual-mind- 
edness and usefulness to Thee. 

Lord, we are troubled with many cares ; and 
we come entreating Thee, with humble submis- 
sion, to settle our temporal affairs, and to grant 
us such portion of the perishable mammon as 
will provide for our necessities, and enable us 
to wait on Thy service without distracting and 
agitating thoughts. Defend us from all distrust, 
so that we may commit ourselves and all that is 
ours in loving faith and filial confidence to Thee. 
Hear, forgive, and do, for Jesus' sake 7 . 

Give what Thou wilt, without Thee we are poor, 
And with Thee rich, take what Thou wilt away. 

7 " There is as much difference between the sufferings of the 
saints and those of the ungodly, as between the cords with 
which an executioner pinions a condemned malefactor and the 
bandages with which a surgeon binds his patient." — Wall. 



Or HUSBAND AND WIPE. 



169 



XVIII. 

Temporal Circumstances in an unsettled Condition. — 1 Pet. v. 7- 

Prov. xx. 7« 
" His children are blessed after him." 

Jer. xlix. 11. 

" Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive ; and 
let thy widows trust in me." 

With the confidence of faith in Thy blessed 
promises and in meek submission to Thy will, 
0 heavenly Father, would we spread our anx- 
ieties and troubles before Thee. Continue to 
us, w r e pray Thee, a suitable maintenance in the 
position wherein Thou hast placed us. Keep us 
from debt and from injudicious expense ; bless 
our management, that living under our income, 
we have to give to thy poorer members. May 
wise plans be so timely adopted, that when Thou 
seest fit to remove the husband and father, such 
competency may remain for the survivors as is 
needed for their comfortable passage through 
this life, and will not interfere with their eternal 



170 HELPS POP* JOINT PEIYATE DEVOTION 

interests. Holy, holy, holy Lord ! Thy will 
be done ! Our main desire, our chief entreaty 
is, that each of us, and of those whom Thou 
hast given us, may know and love Thee, and 
serve Thee. Give such firm and filial confidence, 
0 Lord ! as may uphold and cheer us in all 
events. Enable us to resist temptation. 0 
Jesus ! may the love which Thou hast evinced 
towards us lost creatures, in purchasing re- 
admission to the divine favour and heavenly 
joy, be the comfort and stay of our souls, and 
compel our hearts to a grateful response, so 
that we may live to Thy glory ! 

Holy Spirit ! set Thy seal upon us, that con- 
nected here by the ties of earthly kindred, we 
may each be united in the closer and more last- 
ing bonds of heavenly affection. May each of 
us be a monument of Thy mercy here, and, no 
one of us being lost or missing, a partaker of 
the bliss of those who shall see God face to 
face, and praise Thee eternally ! 

We have taken upon us to speak unto the 
Lord, who' are but dust and ashes ; yet hear, 



OP HUSBAND AND WIFE. 



171 



answer, and bless us and ours for the worthiness 
of our prevailing Intercessor and Advocate ! 
Amen 8 . 

In the furnace God may prove thee, 
Thence to bring thee forth more bright, 

But can never cease to love thee, 
Thou art precious in His sight. 



8 "I happened to hear him at prayer ; my soul seemed on 
fire within me to hear the man address God so like a friend, 
and yet with so much gravity and reverence ; and also to hear 
him in the course of his prayer insisting on the promises con- 
tained in the Psalms, as if he were sure his petitions would be 
granted." — Account of Luther's private Devotions. Milner's 
Church History. 



SECTION II. 
INTERCESSIONS ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN. 



" Labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand 
perfect and complete in all the will of God." — Col. iv. 12. 

" As a house, altar, or temple, newly built and not profaned, 
is fitted by certain rites and sacrifices for its future use ; so a 
child, as a newly-formed edifice, is fitted by a certain course for 
the service of the Church, and his heart is made meet as an 
habitation of God. through the Spirit." — Geier. 

For my own children, says a pious parent, I desire not to 
prescribe how or where they shall serve God ; whether it shall 
be at home or at the ends of the earth ; as public or private 
characters. But that they may be His servants — this 

ONE HOPE I WOULD PRESS TO MY BOSOM TILL I DIE. 



EtfTEBCESSIONS OS BEHALE OE CHILD EES'. 173 



I. 

Psalm cxxvii. 3. 

" Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord : 
And the fruit of the womb is His reward." 

0 Thou good " Shepherd, who gatherest the 
lambs with Thy arm," hear our supplications on 
behalf of the children whom Thou hast given 
us ; enlighten their minds, convince them of 
their sinfulness, and of their great need of the 
righteousness that is in Thee. They have been 
dedicated to Thee ; suffer not the good seed 
which has been sown in their hearts to be 
choked with the cares or the pleasures of this 
life. Grant to each of them a spirit of prayer 
and watchfulness to strengthen them against all 
seductions and snares ; may they maintain a 
blameless conduct before man and a holy walk 
with God, be Thy faithful soldiers and servants; 
and at Thy coming may the soul- delighting pri- 
vilege be ours of presenting them to Thee in 



174 



INTEBCESSIOSTS 



grateful adoration, and saying, Behold us, and 
the children whom Thou hast given us ! Amen. 



Mother, to thy heart are given 
Rich and precious gifts from heaven ; 
Souls for thee to guide and cherish ; 
Teach that so they may not perish. 
Hearts and hands to train untiring, 
For work that God is now requiring. 



II. 

Isa. liv. 13. 

" All thy children shall be taught of the Lord ; and great shall 
be the peace of thy children." 

Thou hast showed us, 0 gracious Lord and 
Saviour, that the intercessions of a parent pre- 
vail with Thee. Implant, we beseech Thee, in 
the hearts of our children due honour and affec- 
tion towards us ; and as they are Thine in pro- 
fession, may they imitate Thee, who, when 
dwelling here below in our nature, wast obe- 
dient to Thy earthly parents. Grant that by 



ON BEHALF OP CHILDREN. 



175 



precept and example we may bring them up in 
the path that leadeth to life eternal. Endue 
them with such love to us, that they may com- 
fort and succour us, as we in their tender age 
have nourished them ; but above all, may they 
honour Thee, their Saviour God. Bestow upon 
each of them, according to their several neces- 
sities, the abundance of Thy grace, and, when 
their course is run, receive them into heavenly 
glory, for the merits of Thine own finished work ! 
Amen. 



She asks no splendour to adorn his way 

That mock the grasp and glitter to betray ; 

The hopes she wakens mingle with the sky, 

And light with heavenly ray his destiny. 

Her voice his early orison shall teach, 

And wake devotion with the lisp of speech. 

That dawn is hers, so transient and so fair; 

It is her own, and all that she may claim, 

Yet shall it bear through life her sacred aim. 

Rutherford. 



176 INTEKCESSIONS 

IN. 

1 Sam. xii. 23. 

" God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to 
pray for you : but I wall teach you the good and the right 
way." 

Thou hast committed to our charge, 0 Lord, 
immortal spirits ; grant us in Thy might faith- 
fully to fulfil our parental duties towards them ; 
may we train them up for Thee, in Thy know- 
ledge and filial fear, and may our exertions be 
crowned with the fulness of Thy blessing upon 
themselves and upon us ; set them apart for Thy- 
self, very early may they hear Thy voice and fol- 
low Thee. We ask not for them the riches or 
honours of this world, yet give them, we pray 
Thee, such measure of earthly things as may 
not be hurtful to the interests of their souls ; 
but beyond all, give them, we earnestly implore 
Thee, wisdom and grace, that they may love 
and serve Thee in their day and generation, and 
with us be of the number of Thy redeemed when 
Thou " makest up Thy jewels." 



ON BEHALF OP CHILD EEN. 



177 



0 hear us, and do for us more than we know 
to ask, for the all-prevailing merits of Christ 
Jesus! Amen. 



Father, I pray Thee not 
For earthly treasure to that most beloved, 
Fame, fortune, power ; oh ! be his spirit proved 
By these or by their absence, at Thy will ! 
But let Thy peace be wedded to his lot. 

* * * * 

Let such a sense of Thee 

Thy watching presence, Thy sustaining love, 
His bosom guest inalienably be. 

H emails. 



IV. 

Gen. xviii. 19. 

" He will command his children and his household after him, 
and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and 
judgment.' ' 

We make our humble supplication unto Thee, 
O Lord, on behalf of the children whom Thou 
hast bestowed upon us ; and we pray Thee to 

1ST 



178 INTERCESSIONS 

enrich them from their early years with Thy 
heavenly blessing. They have been admitted 
into covenant with Thee ; may they be daily 
renewed by Thy Holy Spirit ! Lord, speak 
Thou life to their souls, and whatever else they 
need, let them not be without Thy favour. In 
all circumstances and conditions of their lives 
let them look up to Thee, and do Thou merci- 
fully provide for them in such way as may most 
tend to Thy glory and to their own salvation. 
Shouldst Thou think fit to call any of them 
from this world before us, let nothing be want- 
ing to make their departure safe and joyful ; 
and make us willing to give them back to Thee : 
or shouldst Thou remove us from them, be Thou 
more to them than earthly parents. Keep them 
from the snares and temptations of their spiri- 
tual enemies, and conduct them safely. Grant 
to each such a competent portion of temporal 
substance as Thou shalt see not to prove hurt- 
ful ; but, above all, grant to each of them the 
love of Thee their God and Saviour, and such a 
well-grounded confidence in Thy mercy and 



ON EE HALE OE CHILDBED. 179 

goodness as may support them in all dangers, 
and carry them triumphantly over all tempta- 
tions, through Jesus Christ. Amen. 



V. 

Gen. xvii. 18. 
" O that Ishmael might live before Thee !" 

Make us, 0 Lord, kind and tender parents. 
Let Thy Holy Spirit enable us to form in the 
minds of our children the principles of piety, 
and to bring them up in Thy love and fear ; let 
us make it our constant care to wean them from 
pride and vanity, and so set before them in our- 
selves the example of a religious life ; let Thy 
mighty influence root out of their hearts all 
sinful desires, and, instead thereof, do Thou sow 
the incorruptible seed of Thy grace, that they 
may each lead a life of holiness and virtue. 
Defend them, we beseech Thee, against all the 
dangers and temptations of the world: May 
n2 



180 



INTERCESSIONS 



they never be led by the evil customs and 
maxims and examples of it, but be willing and 
courageous to suffer ridicule for Thy sake, and 
striving to be Thy faithful servants and instru- 
ments for Thy glory in their generation, may 
attain Thy promises ; and, no one being missing, 
meet us in joy to unite in our everlasting song 
of praise. We ask in the name and mediation 
of our great and only Saviour, Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 



VI. 

Psalm cii. 28. 

" The children of Thy servants shall continue, 
And their seed shall be established before Thee." 

" Bless our children with healthful bodies, with 
good understandings, with the graces and gifts 
of Thy Spirit, sweet dispositions, and holy habits, 
and sanctify them and their bodies and souls 



ON BEHALF OE CHILDREN. 



181 



and spirits, and keep them unblameable to the 
coming of the Lord Jesus Amen. 



I give thee to thy God, the God who gave thee 
A well-spring of deep gladness to my heart, 

And thou shalt be His child. 

Hemans. 



" It was suggested by one of the parents to the 
other, We have seven children, would it not be 
well to take them according to their ages, and make 
each the subject of special prayer on the seven suc- 
cessive days of the week ? The suggestion was 
adopted ; and independently of all the other bless- 
ings attendant on prayer, it was found greatly to 
promote their love to their children and to each 
other. It brought statedly and directly into view 

1 Having seen this form in Jeremy Taylor (Holy Living), 
I am induced by its comprehensive brevity to insert it in these 
pages. It seems founded on St. Paul's prayer for the Church 
at Thessalonica in his first Epistle, which has been observed to 
breathe a peculiar spirit of paternal love and affection. 



182 



INTEECESSI01S"S 



the particular disposition, capacity, and temper of 
each child ; and while each, perhaps, had faults that 
occasioned trouble, and were in danger of provoking 
impatience, each had some redeeming qualities also. 
"When these were specially acknowledged with 
thanksgiving as the gifts of G-od, it counteracted 
that tendency to forget or overlook them, of which 
many a parent cannot but be conscious, amidst the 
noise and turmoil of many children. Their faults, 
on the other hand, recollected at the throne of 
Divine mercy, inspired grief and compassion in- 
stead of anger or irritation ; and while they were 
humbly confessed as being only features of resem- 
blance to the sinful parents themselves, the warmest 
gratitude was called into exercise for that inestimable 
grace which had provided for the restoration of their 
fallen nature. "While this was naturally connected 
with earnest desire to " bring them up in the nur- 
ture and admonition of the Lord," it also habituated 
the mind to look on each child as an object of re- 
deeming love — such a child as the Saviour when on ; 
earth would have ' suffered to come unto Him | 
and many an expression of impatience, many a rising 
cloud of passion, was dispelled and checked by the \ 



02T BEHALF OP CHILDREN. 



183 



remembrance of what had been thus realized in pre- 
senting the case of that child to GrOD ! " 

After these " Helps " were composed, I met with 
the above in an anonymous author, with whom I 
cordially agree on the subject. Forms adapted to 
the purpose could not well be supplied ; but I may 
suggest that petitions suitable can be inserted by 
the parents themselves in course of using those 
given in this manual. 



APPENDIX. 



PRAYERS ON BEHALF OF ABSENT RELATIVES OR 
FRIENDS AT THE SEAT OF WAR. 

Almost every family has at this period either one 
of its members, or at least some dear friend, at the 
seat of war, and necessarily exposed to dangers and 
privations: it cannot be irrelevant, though not 
immediately connected with the object of the 
volume, to subjoin these forms of intercession on 
behalf of the loved absent one. 

The first form is compiled from the daily and 
occasional services in the Book of Common Prayer, 
and is suitable for a family; the second, perhaps, 
more adapted for private use. 



And a woman's fond adieu was heard, 
Though deep, yet brief and low : 

" In the vigil, — in the conflict, — love, 
My prayer shall with thee go \" 



186 PEATEES ON BE HALE 

There were saddened hearts in a darkened home 
When the brave had left their bower ; 

But THE STRENGTH OF PRAYER AND SACRIFICE 

Was with them in that hour. 

Hemans. 



Psalm cxii. 7. 

" He shall not be afraid of evil tidings ; 
His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord." 

We humbly beseech Thee, 0 Lord, mercifully 
to look upon our infirmities ; and, for the glory 
of Thy name, turn from us all those evils that 
we most righteously have deserved ; and grant 
that in all troubles we may put our whole trust 
and confidence in Thy mercy, and evermore 
serve Thee in holiness and pureness of living to 
Thy honour and glory ; through our only Medi- 
ator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

0 Lord, save Thy servant, our , 

Who putteth his trust in Thee. 
Send him help from Thy holy place, 
And evermore mightily defend him. 



Or ABSENT EEL ATI YES, &C. 187 

Let the enemy have no advantage over him, 
Nor the wicked approach to hurt him. 
Give peace in our time, 0 Lord ; 
Because there is none other that fighteth for 
us, but only Thou, 0 Lord. 

0 God, the Creator and Preserver of all man- 
kind, we humbly beseech Thee for all sorts and 
conditions of men; that Thou wouldest be 
pleased to make Thy ways known unto them, 
Thy saving health unto all nations. More espe- 
cially we pray for the good estate of the Catho- 
lic Church ; that all who profess and call them- 
selves Christians may be led into the way of 
truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in 
the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. 

Grant that the course of this world may be 
ordered to Thy glory, the advancement of Thy 
Gospel, the honour of our sovereign, and the 
good of all mankind. Finally, we commend to 
thy fatherly goodness our sailors and soldiers, 

and especially our beloved ; that it may 

please Thee to comfort and relieve them accord- 



188 PRAYERS ON EE HALF 

ing to their several necessities, giving them 
patience under their sufferings, and a happy 
issue out of all their afflictions. And this we 
beg for Jesus Christ's sake. 



But ills of every shape and every name 
Transform'd to blessings, miss their cruel aim, 
And every moment's calm that soothes the breast 
Is given in earnest of eternal rest, 

Cowper. 

Jonah ii. 7. 

" When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: 
and my prayer came in unto Him." 

Heb. iv. 15, 16. 

" For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched 
with the feeling of our infirmities ; but was in all points 
tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore 
come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain 
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." 

0 Almighty God and heavenly Father ! Thou 
hast been pleased to remove to a distant coun- 
try him whom I love as my own soul, and Thou 
knowest the dangers and privations to which he 



Or ABSENT EEL ATI YES, &C. 189 

is daily exposed. I fly to Thee, and in humble 
faith entreat Thee to support him in his arduous 
duties ; defend him from the " sickness that 
destroyeth in the noon-day nerve his arm, 
cheer his spirit, avert from him the missile, 
" cover his head in the day of bat tie. " In Thy 
holy Word Thou hast told us, " Call upon me 
in the day of trouble, I will deliver Thee." In 
deep earnestness of soul I plead Thine own pro- 
mise ; yet alas ! 0 Lord, I have not in my pros- 
perity been thankful, nor " paid the vows which 
I made ! " With deep humility I acknowledge 
that great is my sinfulness, and that justly do I 
deserve Thine anger. 0 deal with me not 
according to my deservings, but according to 
the multitude of Thy tender mercies in Christ 
Jesus ! If, Lord, my loved one be wounded or 
injured, let him have seasonable opportunity of 
comfort and remedies, and bless Thou them to 
his restoration ; let a sense of his weakness add 
strength to his faith and seriousness to his re- 
pentance ; let his entire, his only hope be in 
the merits and atonement of the Redeemer; 



190 PRATERS ON BEHALF 

and let Thy consolations from on high refresh 
and animate his drooping heart. 

0 J esus, sympathizing High Priest ! who in 
" all the afflictions of Thy people art afflicted v 
with them, take Thou charge of my beloved ! 
Let him not be disquieted, for Thou art with 
him. Even should it be in the counsels of un- 
searchable Wisdom that he be called upon to 
pass through the dark valley, let " the lamp of 
Thy love be his guide let faith dispel all fear 
or doubt or dismay, so that he may joyfully re- 
sign his soul to Thee ; and may the knowledge 
of pardon and acceptance brighten the path, 
making a joyful passage to heaven. 

Holy Spirit, blessed Comforter ! banish from 
me all fears arising from distrust and weakness 
of faith ; let me not foolishly and sinfully indulge 
any anticipations of evil; and though I know 
not, to myself or to others, what a day may 
bring forth, yet let my mind be in calm and 
perfect peace, because stayed on Thee. May 
I and my beloved one repose in full confidence 
on Thy all-sufficiency, Thy tender compassion. 



0E ABSENT EELATIVES, &C. 191 

Let mutual prayer for each other bring us daily 
before Thee. And oh, Thou eternal and all- 
glorious Godhead ! if it be not opposed to Thy 
own wise and righteous counsels, restore again 
my beloved one, I beseech Thee, to his home ; 
and grant that we, under a deeper sense of Thy 
manifold mercies, may more watchfully and 
faithfully contend against the enemies of our 
salvation, and live to the setting forth the 
praises of Thee who hast dealt so graciously 
with us. Amen. 



Though gathering sorrows swell my breast, 
Speak but the word, and peace and rest 
Shall set my troubled spirit free 
In sweet communion, Lord, with Thee. 

Bp. Jell. 

. . . . his country's voice had call'd 
The ardent youth to fields of honour far 

Beyond the wave 

O had he seen her thus alone, 

Thus holy, wrestling thus, and all for him ! 

Course of Time. 

THE END. 



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